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. Here is the link to the professor's blog for background reading:

First blog title: 'Post-truth: The Word of the Year 2016'

Link: Click here

Second blog title: 'Beware of Histofluencers'

Link: Click here

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Definition of the word "post-truth" - Oxford English Dictionary

Definition of the word "post-truth" - Oxford English Dictionary

Introduction:

In today’s digital age, we are navigating an era where the concept of "post-truth" has become increasingly prevalent. Coined as the Oxford Dictionaries’ Word of the Year in 2016, post-truth refers to a situation where emotional appeals and personal beliefs hold more sway than objective facts in shaping public opinion. This blog explores the multifaceted nature of post-truth and its implications in various areas of society, especially through the lens of digital platforms and misinformation in the Indian context. 

Q.-1.|Briefly explain the concept of post-truth as discussed in the blog.

Ans.

Post-truth refers to circumstances where "objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief." The blog "Post-truth: The Word of the Year 2016" emphasizes how this term highlights a shift in societal norms where facts have become secondary to narratives that resonate with people on an emotional level. In the blog, the concept is illustrated through the Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Both events were driven more by emotional appeals than by factual analysis, exemplifying post-truth politics.

The prefix "post-" in post-truth does not merely imply a temporal shift, but a paradigm shift where truth itself becomes irrelevant. As discussed in the blog, this era of post-truth aligns with Nietzsche’s idea that truths are often moral interpretations rather than objective facts.

Q.-2.|Provide context on why post-truth was chosen as the word of the year in 2016.

Ans.

The word "post-truth" was chosen as the Word of the Year in 2016 primarily due to the socio-political upheavals that characterized that year, including the Brexit referendum and the U.S. presidential election. Both of these events demonstrated how emotional appeals and misinformation played a decisive role in shaping public opinion. As the blog notes, "evidence-based facts and analysis" were overshadowed by narratives that "bamboozled" voters. The rise of social media also contributed to this trend, as people increasingly encountered news and information that aligned with their pre-existing beliefs.

The historical significance of this word choice lies in its reflection of a broader cultural shift. The Brexit vote, for example, saw voters swayed by emotionally charged, inaccurate information, despite evidence suggesting that leaving the European Union would have negative consequences. Similarly, Donald Trump’s success in the 2016 U.S. presidential election was attributed to his reliance on emotional rhetoric, even though many of his statements were factually incorrect.

Q.-3.|Discuss how the post-truth phenomenon affects the way people form opinions today.

Ans.

Globally, post-truth politics has led to a situation where people increasingly base their opinions on feelings rather than facts. The blog points out that in this era, people are "manipulated by emotional appeals." This shift has made it easier for misinformation to thrive, as individuals are more likely to believe information that aligns with their personal beliefs, regardless of its accuracy.

In India, this phenomenon is evident in the role of digital platforms in shaping public opinion. Platforms like WhatsApp have been instrumental in spreading misinformation, often leading to real-world consequences such as mob violence. In the blog "Beware of Histofluencers," the role of social media influencers in distorting historical narratives is also discussed. These influencers often present oversimplified or biased versions of history, which are then accepted as fact by their followers.

Q.-4.|Analyze the role of digital platforms like WhatsApp, social media, and influencers in spreading post-truth narratives.

Ans.

Digital platforms play a central role in the dissemination of post-truth narratives. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp allow for the rapid spread of misinformation, which is often crafted to appeal to emotions rather than facts. The concept of "WhatsApp University," a term used to describe the proliferation of misinformation through WhatsApp groups in India.

In India, platforms like WhatsApp and YouTube have been instrumental in spreading post-truth narratives, often in politically charged contexts. The phenomenon of "Godi media" and "Godi YouTubers," who create content that aligns with government narratives, regardless of its factual accuracy. These platforms enable the spread of misinformation by creating echo chambers, where individuals are only exposed to information that reinforces their pre-existing beliefs.

Q.-5.|Include examples of how misinformation or emotionally charged content has shaped public opinion in recent times.

Ans.

In recent years, several events in India have been influenced by misinformation. One notable example is the misinformation spread during the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests. Emotional and often misleading information circulated widely on social media, polarizing public opinion and leading to widespread protests and clashes.

One notable example is during the 2019 general elections when false information regarding candidates spread rapidly across social media platforms. Claims about political leaders' backgrounds or alleged misconduct were often exaggerated or fabricated to sway voter sentiment.

Another example is the spread of misinformation related to COVID-19. False information about the virus, its treatment, and vaccines spread rapidly on platforms like WhatsApp, contributing to vaccine hesitancy and endangering public health. These examples illustrate how misinformation can have far-reaching consequences, shaping public opinion and influencing behavior in ways that can be detrimental to society.

Q.-6.|Reflect on how you personally encounter post-truth in your daily digital interactions.

Ans.

As someone living in India, I encounter post-truth narratives regularly, particularly on social media platforms like WhatsApp and YouTube. Whether it's forwarded messages in family WhatsApp groups or viral videos on YouTube, I often come across information that is emotionally charged but lacks factual accuracy. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I received several WhatsApp forwards that promoted unproven home remedies as cures for the virus. Although these messages were well-meaning, they contributed to a larger problem of misinformation that ultimately undermined public health efforts.

Most of the social media platforms are breeding grounds for misinformation and "fake news," making it harder for people to access truthful information.

Example: Abhi and Niyu's video on Truth of Farmers Protest 2024, from 9:40 to 9:50: Click here.

They are saying that if it becomes compulsory to buy at MSP, then its financial burden will be around Rs. 10 lakh crore, which is misinformation.

 

They didn't even read the source they cited. It is clearly mentioned in the title that "Farmer Protests: MSP needed, that it will cost government Rs. 10 lakh crore is misinformation." The real figure is just Rs. 21000 crore.

Navigating this digital landscape can be challenging, especially when the information I receive comes from trusted sources like friends or family members. However, I have learned to approach such content with a critical eye, always questioning its validity and seeking out reliable sources to verify the information.

Q.-7.|Discuss strategies you use or plan to use to remain critical of the information you receive online.

Ans.

In today’s post-truth era, it is crucial to adopt strategies that help us critically evaluate the information we encounter online. One effective strategy is to always check the source of the information. Reliable sources, such as established news organizations or academic institutions, are more likely to provide accurate information. Another important strategy is to cross-check information with multiple sources to ensure its accuracy.

In the Indian context, where platforms like WhatsApp are often used to spread misinformation, it is important to remain skeptical of forwarded messages and viral content. As the blog "Beware of Histofluencers" suggests, it is essential to approach historical narratives presented by social media influencers with a critical eye, recognizing the potential for bias and oversimplification. By cultivating media literacy and critical thinking skills, we can better navigate the complex digital landscape and avoid falling victim to post-truth narratives.

Q.-8.|Summarize the importance of being aware of post-truth dynamics.

Ans.

Understanding the dynamics of post-truth is essential in today’s digital age because it allows us to recognize the ways in which emotions and personal beliefs can distort reality. As the blog "Post-truth: The Word of the Year 2016" explains, post-truth politics can lead to a situation where misinformation becomes accepted as fact, with dangerous consequences for democracy and public discourse.

Being aware of post-truth dynamics also helps us protect ourselves from manipulation. In a world where politicians, influencers, and media outlets can exploit emotional appeals to shape public opinion, it is important to remain vigilant and question the information we encounter. By doing so, we can safeguard our ability to make informed decisions based on facts rather than emotions.

Q.-9.|Emphasize the need for critical thinking and media literacy in today's digital age.

Ans.

In today’s digital age, where misinformation can spread rapidly through social media and other digital platforms, critical thinking and media literacy are more important than ever. As the blog "Beware of Histofluencers" points out, social media influencers can easily distort historical facts to fit their ideological agendas, and it is up to the audience to critically assess the information being presented.

Media literacy helps individuals identify bias and misinformation, enabling them to engage with digital content in a more informed and responsible way. In the post-truth era, where emotional appeals often outweigh factual accuracy, media literacy empowers people to differentiate between truth and fiction, making it an essential skill for navigating the digital landscape.

Conclusion:

In a world dominated by digital platforms and emotionally charged narratives, the concept of post-truth has taken on significant importance. By examining how post-truth influences public opinion, especially in the Indian context, we can better understand the challenges posed by misinformation. To combat these challenges, it is essential to cultivate critical thinking and media literacy skills, enabling us to navigate the digital landscape with greater discernment and resist the allure of emotionally driven, factually inaccurate narratives.

References:

1. Barad, Dilip. “Beware of Histofluencers.” Dilip Barad | Teacher Blog, 17 Nov. 2023, blog.dilipbarad.com/2023/11/beware-of-histofluencers.html. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.

2. ---. “Post-truth: The Word of the Year 2016.” Dilip Barad | Teacher Blog, 14 Jan. 2017, blog.dilipbarad.com/2017/01/post-truth-word-of-year-2016.html. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.

3. Higgins, Kathleen. “Post-truth: a guide for the perplexed.” Nature, vol. 540, no. 7631, Nov. 2016, p. 9. https://doi.org/10.1038/540009a.

4. “Meaning of ‘post’ in the Word of the Year 2016 ‘post-truth’ politics.” English Language & Usage Stack Exchange, english.stackexchange.com/questions/358810/meaning-of-post-in-the-word-of-the-year-2016-post-truth-politics. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.

5. Oxford Languages. “Word of the Year 2016 - Oxford Dictionaries.” YouTube, 16 Nov. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xcW7Tg5E34. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.

6. Rayan, Albert. “How to use the Oxford Dictionaries Word of 2016?” The New Indian Express, 21 Nov. 2016, www.newindianexpress.com/education/edex/2016/nov/21/how-to-use-the-oxford-dictionaries-word-of-2016-1540146.html. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.

7. “Word of the Year 2016.” Oxford Languages, languages.oup.com/word-of-the-year/2016. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.

 Thank you!