Sunday Reading : Post Truth

 Post Truth : 

Hello Readers,

This blog address to Sunday reading on what's  post truth is and it's impact on modern world. This task is assigned by Dilip Barad sir click here to read blog on post truth. 

Introduction :  

Post-truth is a term that refers to the widespread documentation of, and concern about, disputes over public truth claims in the 21st century. 

The term's academic development refers to the theories and research that explain the specific causes historically, and the effects of the

What is Post Truth?          

relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. 

"Post-truth" is a term used to describe a situation where emotional or personal beliefs have more influence on public opinion and political decisions than objective facts. This concept gained prominence in recent years, particularly with the rise of social media, which can amplify misinformation and create echo chambers where falsehoods are reinforced rather than challenged.

Post Truth as the word of the year in 2016 : 

"Post-truth" was chosen as the Word of the Year in 2016 because it perfectly described how people were increasingly valuing emotions and personal beliefs over actual facts. In 2016, during events like the Brexit vote and the U.S. presidential election, there was a lot of misleading information and emotional arguments that seemed more influential than the truth. The term captured how people were focusing more on what felt right to them rather than what was factually accurate. 

 The Rise of Post Truth : 

• Social Media: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have amplified the spread of misinformation. They often prioritize content that generates strong emotions or engagement over factual accuracy.

• Misinformation and Fake News: The deliberate spread of false information for political or financial gain has become more prevalent. These fake news stories often go viral, overshadowing accurate reporting.

• Confirmation Bias: People have a natural tendency to favor information that confirms their preexisting beliefs. This cognitive bias reinforces the post-truth environment by making individuals more resistant to accepting contradictory evidence.

•  Political and Corporate Agendas: Various groups and individuals may intentionally spread false information to advance specific political or business interests, exploiting the post-truth environment for their gain.

Implications of Post Truth : 

• Social Fragmentation: Post-truth dynamics can lead to social fragmentation, where different groups live in separate informational realities. This makes it harder for societies to address shared challenges and work together effectively. 

• Economic Consequences: Misinformation can influence markets and consumer behavior, potentially leading to economic instability or poor investment decisions. Companies may also suffer from reputation damage due to false claims.

• Impact on Democracy: In democracies, informed voting is crucial. When misinformation and emotional appeals outweigh facts, it can lead to misguided voting decisions, undermining the integrity of democratic processes.

• Public Health Risks: Challenges related to misinformation affecting health decisions.

Examples of Post Truth : 

Post Truth in Politics : also described as post-factual politics or post-reality politics, amidst varying academic and dictionary definitions of the term, refer to a recent historical period where political culture is marked by public anxiety about what claims can be publicly accepted facts.  

Reference

The Academic root of Post Truth society : 

Violence in Manipur : Ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis

• The violence is a result of a conflict between the Meitei, who are predominantly Hindu, and the Kukis, who are mainly Christian. The conflict is over government jobs, economic benefits, and education quotas.
• References:

Menon, Shruti. “Manipur: Misleading Information Shared about India Tensions.” BBC News, BBC, 26 July 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66255989.

• Conclusion :

• The post-truth era signifies a shift in how information is consumed and valued in public discourse. In this age, appeals to emotion and personal beliefs often take precedence over factual accuracy. This phenomenon is fueled by various factors, including the influence of social media, the polarization of political and social views, and the erosion of trust in traditional institutions and experts.

Citations : 

From Dilip Barad teacher's blog , idea taken of understanding post truth with humour. click here to read

The source of politics data site Wikipedia :  Reference

Menon, Shruti. “Manipur: Misleading Information Shared about India Tensions.” BBC News, BBC, 26 July 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66255989.