The Rise of ‘Post-Truth’: How We’re Losing the Ability to Discuss Facts
Truth is objective: 2+2 equals 4, Dalmatians have spots, plants need water to survive, and the sun will rise tomorrow. Our understanding of truth, however, is being challenged, and the impact of this is felt in our democracy. The rise of misinformation and subjective truth has led to a “post-truth” society where sensationalism dominates the collective consciousness. Amplified by social media and “fake news,” we, as a society, have ushered in a new era of fabricated content that reigns supreme over truth.
The Rise of Misinformation
Social media algorithms now favor content that sparks controversy and outrage, leading to the spread of what is trendy and exciting rather than what is true. The speed at which this information spreads is dependent on its engageability, so on platforms like TikTok, where a message can be delivered in just ten seconds, ideas spread like wildfire. The role of fake news in elections is already evident, as we can examine the impact of the false claims about Haitian immigrants eating pets, perpetuated by political parties in the United States, and the direct effect it had on Haitian populations in the country.
Social media is the perfect breeding ground for echo chambers, where the beliefs and ideas of those around you are further perpetuated and not challenged. Exposing yourself only to ideas that reinforce your beliefs, rather than challenge them, means opposing views are ignored, and the danger of forming a skewed sense of reality grows. The normalization of “alternative facts” — contradictory statements presented as legitimate alternatives to facts — is harmful and unproductive in every way. Politicians and public figures are guilty of manipulating data or presenting selective truths to sway public opinion.
The Erosion of Rational Discourse
Modern discourse increasingly appeals to emotion rather than logic, leading to the promotion of clickbait headlines and fear-mongering. Cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias and availability heuristics, then shape opinions regardless of objective truths. For example, people passionately sound off in comment sections about causes they don’t fully understand, but only believe in the notion of, as is the case with policies the public has not even read.
Education systems are failing to equip people with the critical thinking skills they desperately need to navigate the “post-truth” era. The spread of misinformation, ideological polarization, and groupthink is on the rise. People are becoming less interested in the truth and more concerned with defending their worldview, even if it means perpetuating alternative truths that are entirely false. Constructive dialogue on meaningful topics becomes further strained as people label their comment adversaries with derogatory terms that hold no meaning beyond the internet. The “us” versus “them” mentality further solidifies opposite sides of ideologies, exacerbated by politicians and public figures who profit off the extremism of their supporters.
Consequences on Democracy
Trust in institutions is diminishing as the spread of misinformation erodes confidence in political, scientific, and media institutions. The consequences of this division are felt in democratic decision-making, in policies, elections, and matters of public health. We have become too concerned with preserving our ideology to question what is actually working for the greater good and what is just a principle we cling to because it is what the masses prefer, based on precedent.
Bipartisan cooperation in the United States government is gridlocked, and making compromises seems nearly impossible. When facts no longer matter to the public, those in power are given the ability to avoid scrutiny and responsibility for their actions, regardless of which side of the aisle they sit on. The rise of populist movements is a direct threat to the democratic processes we claim to value so dearly.
Possible Solutions to the Post-Truth Era
Media literacy is of the utmost importance in an era rich with deep fakes and fake news. The role of fact-checking organizations has never been more critical, and emphasis should be placed on their ability to remain unbiased in their work, as this will be key to informing the public. Rebuilding trust in journalism and reformulating social media algorithms to prioritize credible sources and reduce the spread of sensationalized content is essential. Above all, compassion and encouraging civil discourse, even in contentious discussions, will ultimately pave the path forward for fact-based conversations.
Truth is non-negotiable in the digital era and should serve as the objective reality upon which we build the foundation for discourse. Democracy, at its core, relies on informed citizens to engage in rational debates based on facts. Put your value in facts, in truth, and not in the ideology being fed to you by your social media algorithm.
