Post-truth

This blog is part of the Sunday reading task assigned by the head of the Department of English (MKBU), Prof. and Dr. Dilip Barad Sir.

Post-truth

-Introduction 

The term "post-truth" has become a very important concept in today's digital world. It was named Oxford Dictionaries' Word of the Year in 2016, referring to a situation where emotions and personal beliefs have more influence on public opinion than facts. It is how truth is debated and challenged in the 21st century, especially in areas like politics, media, and social platforms. This blog explores the causes and effects of post-truth, keeping in view the role of digital platforms and misinformation, particularly within the Indian context.

-What is Post-Truth?

It basically describes a situation when personal or emotional beliefs shape opinion at large rather than based upon real facts. In laymen words, people are more persuaded with things that feel true instead of objectivity. The word 'Post-Truth' took all limelight in 2016 specifically after the Brexit decision as well as Trump campaign elections in which emotional logic came out to be quite predominant compared to facts.

The concept of post-truth posits a change in which society places less emphasis on facts and instead centers on influential stories or beliefs. So, the prefix "post-" does not just mean "after" but indicates a change in which truth itself matters any less. Social media has exacerbates this problem by spreading misinformation and creating spaces within which people only hear views that resemble their own, reinforcing ideas rather than challenging them.

-Post-Truth: Word of the Year 2016

The word "post-truth" was picked as the Word of the Year in 2016 since it reflected the idea where emotions and personal beliefs have started to matter more than facts. This change is particularly well seen during some major events, like the Brexit vote and the U.S. presidential election. In these cases, emotional appeals and misinformation had a significant impact on the opinions of the public, overshadowing the fact-based analysis.

Social media gave rise to this by causing echo chambers, whereby most people only saw what fitted their existing beliefs. As a result, such falsehoods were easily disseminated and influenced decisions. It is in this respect that the term "post-truth" reflects the changed culture where feelings and good stories became more potent than the truth itself.

-The Ascent and Consequences of Post-Truth

The rise of post-truth is closely associated with the influence of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Such platforms often prioritize content that sparks strong emotions and engagement rather than focusing on factual accuracy. As a result, misinformation and fake news have become widespread, with false stories often going viral and overshadowing reliable reporting. Many of these false narratives are deliberately spread for political or financial gain.

The biggest contributor to post-truth is confirmation bias, in which people seek out information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs. This makes it difficult for them to accept evidence against what they believe, which only feeds the post-truth environment. Political and corporate groups take advantage of this landscape by disseminating false information for the benefit of their agendas, using misinformation as a tool to influence public opinion.

The implications of post-truth are far-reaching. Socially, it creates fragmentation, with different groups living in separate realities based on the information they consume. This makes it difficult for societies to work together to address common challenges. Economically, misinformation can lead to instability, influence markets, and cause companies to suffer reputation damage due to false claims. In democratic systems, post-truth undermines informed decision-making because voters are moved by emotional appeals and false information rather than facts, thus threatening the integrity of elections. Public health is also at risk because misinformation can lead to harmful health choices and undermine trust in medical advice.

-Examples of Post Truth

Post-truth politics is a political culture where emotional appeals and repeated talking points matter more than facts and expert opinions. Unlike traditional debates, it downplays factual accuracy, focusing instead on what resonates emotionally. While it seems like a modern issue, some believe it has always existed but became more noticeable with the rise of the Internet and social changes.

Conclusion

Post-truth has changed how people form opinions, with emotions and beliefs often outweighing facts. Social media amplifies misinformation, creating echo chambers and deepening societal divides. This shift threatens democracy, public health, and economic stability. Combating post-truth requires promoting critical thinking, media literacy, and a commitment to truth.

-References

“Post-Truth Politics - ECPS.” ECPS, www.populismstudies.org/Vocabulary/post-truth-politics.