Post Truth

Post truth  : the new Reality

‘Beyond the Facts: How Emotions Influence Our Understanding of Truth’

Hello everyone this blog is based on Sunday reading on ‘Post Truth’ assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad  for basic reading Click Here

#What is post truth?

 "post-truth" means that people are more influenced by their emotions and personal beliefs rather than actual facts.

"Post-truth" is a term used to describe a situation where emotional appeal and personal beliefs have more influence on public opinion and decision-making than objective facts or evidence.

 In 2016, many experts and media outlets predicted that Hillary Clinton would win the U.S. presidential election and that the UK would stay in the European Union. But in reality, Donald Trump won the election, and the UK voted to leave the EU. These surprising results showed how people’s feelings and beliefs can sometimes matter more than facts or predictions.

In 2016 ‘Post Truth’ is a word of the year declared by Oxford University After much discussion, debate, and research.

 

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Definition of Post truth

Post-truth is an adjective defined as ‘relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief’. (Oxford Dictionary)

The term comes from an idea that became popular during the 2016 election campaign in the United States. The 21st is the century of information; people keep knowledge in their pockets. But now new questions arise about whether all the information and knowledge we get through social media, news channels, and newspapers is true or just a modified truth.

Why was this chosen?

The idea of "post-truth" has been around for about ten years, but Oxford University saw  this year, it’s been mentioned more often. This increase in usage is tied to big events like the UK’s EU referendum and the U.S. presidential election.

"Post-truth politics" is a term used to describe a political situation where people’s feelings and personal beliefs are more important than actual facts.

Post Truth in 2016:

“Post-truth” has moved from being an area of interest term to a common one in political discussions. Nowadays, major news outlets use it frequently in their headlines, assuming that most people understand what it means without needing further explanation.

The term "post-truth" has quickly shifted from being a relatively new concept to one that is widely recognized within just a year. This rapid change highlights how significantly the idea has resonated with both national and international audiences.

While the idea of post-truth has been developing over the past decade, this year has seen a notable increase in its use, particularly in relation to major events like the Brexit referendum in the UK and the U.S. presidential election. During this time, the term has increasingly been linked to the phrase "post-truth politics," reflecting its growing relevance in discussions about modern political dynamics.

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Role of Media & Digital Platforms:

In today’s digital age, almost everyone uses social media platforms, and misinformation spreads rapidly on these channels. Many people accept and share information without verifying its accuracy, leading to widespread belief in falsehoods. This issue affects everyone, including students and educated adults, who often look for evidence that aligns with their existing beliefs while disregarding contrary information.

Platforms like WhatsApp are notorious for spreading exaggerated or false stories. People tend to believe and share these stories without questioning their validity, largely because the information often aligns with their emotions or biases.

A recent example involved a false rumor about the death of Zimbabwean cricketer Heath Streak. Initially, Streak had to hold a press conference to prove he was alive. Unfortunately, after the rumor went viral, he did indeed pass away, highlighting the consequences of misinformation. Even though the rumor was initially false, it spread widely due to the lack of verification and the high-profile nature of the individual involved. Source : (Deepala and Borugadda)

Role of media We see through some example:- 

 #Reality:- India became independent in 1947. 

# Post-Truth:- India became independent in 2014.

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 Politics:-

Post-truth politics is common in India and other developed countries, where politicians often make exaggerated or false claims supported by misinformation. A clear example of this is in the scheduling of competitive exams. These exams, which are crucial for many job seekers, are often delayed and sometimes scheduled around election times, leading to suspicions that their timing is influenced more by political motives than by genuine need.

In summary,  In a post-truth world, where feelings matter more than facts, we can improve things by teaching people to think critically, check information, and support honest reporting. This helps us make better decisions and trust information again.

Thank you 

References:-  

https://factly.in/news-about-the-demise-of-former-zimbabwe-cricketer-heath-streak-is-a-hoax /. Accessed 15 September 2024.

Oxford Dictionary. Oxford Languages | The Home of Language Data, https://languages.oup.com /. Accessed 15 September 2024.