Post-Truth (The MIT Press Essential Knowledge series)

1. Post-truth: Emotions trump facts in shaping beliefs

Post-truth is when one thinks that the crowd's reaction actually does change the facts about a lie.

Defining post-truth. The Oxford Dictionaries define post-truth as circumstances where objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. This represents a fundamental shift in how truth is perceived and valued in society.

Origins and implications. The concept rocketed to prominence during the 2016 US presidential election and Brexit vote, reflecting a growing willingness to embrace "alternative facts" that align with one's views. Post-truth goes beyond mere lying or spin – it represents a more profound challenge to the very notion of shared objective reality. In a post-truth world, feelings and ideology can override evidence, with dangerous consequences for democracy, policy-making, and social cohesion.

2. Science denial paved the way for post-truth politics

Do we want to live in a world where policy is made based on how it makes us feel rather than how well it will work in reality?

Tobacco strategy blueprint. The tobacco industry's efforts to cast doubt on the link between smoking and cancer in the 1950s-90s created a template for science denial:

• Fund your own experts
• Suggest there are "two sides" to settled science
• Emphasize uncertainty and demand impossible levels of proof
• Use public relations and lobbying to push your message

Climate change denial. These tactics were later adopted by climate change deniers, evolution skeptics, and other groups seeking to undermine inconvenient scientific findings. By sowing doubt about established facts, science denial laid the groundwork for the broader rejection of objective truth in politics and culture.

3. Cognitive biases make us vulnerable to misinformation

The problem here was not any so-called political bias. It was instead what the researchers call "information bias," which is when the news gathering and reporting routines of journalists result in coverage that is distorted from the truth.

Hardwired for bias. Humans have several innate cognitive biases that can lead us astray:

• Confirmation bias: Seeking information that confirms existing beliefs
• Backfire effect: Strengthening beliefs when presented with contradictory evidence
• Dunning-Kruger effect: Overestimating one's knowledge/abilities

Motivated reasoning. These biases are often driven by motivated reasoning – our tendency to find ways to believe what we want to be true. This makes us susceptible to misinformation that aligns with our existing views and identities, especially on emotionally charged topics.

4. Traditional media's decline created space for partisan news

If you make a recipe with just one rotten ingredient, the whole dish will taste rotten.

Financial pressures. The rise of the internet devastated traditional media business models, leading to staff cuts and reduced investigative reporting. This created a vacuum in quality journalism.

False balance trap. In an effort to appear unbiased, many outlets embraced a misguided notion of "balance" that gave equal weight to fringe views alongside established facts. This false equivalence, especially on issues like climate change, confused the public and eroded trust in media institutions.

Partisan alternatives. Cable news networks and talk radio rushed to fill the void with opinion-driven coverage catering to partisan audiences. This fragmentation of the media landscape made it easier for people to consume only information that confirmed their existing beliefs.

5. Social media and fake news accelerated the post-truth era

Fake news is not simply news that is false; it is deliberately false. It has been created for a purpose.

Echo chambers. Social media algorithms tend to show users content that aligns with their existing views, creating "filter bubbles" that reinforce biases and limit exposure to diverse perspectives.

Viral misinformation. The ease of sharing on social platforms allows fake news to spread rapidly, often outpacing fact-checks or corrections. During the 2016 US election:

• Top 20 fake news stories on Facebook: 8.7 million engagements
• Top 20 real news stories: 7.3 million engagements

Blurred lines. With traditional gatekeepers weakened, it became harder for many to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources online. This confusion benefited those seeking to spread disinformation for political or financial gain.

6. Postmodernism inadvertently provided tools for science denial

If everything is a narrative, then we need alternatives to the dominant narrative. I don't look like a guy who reads Lacan, do I?

Questioning objectivity. Postmodern thinkers challenged the idea of objective truth, arguing that all knowledge claims are shaped by power structures and cultural context. While intended as a critique of oppressive systems, these ideas were later co-opted by science deniers.

Intelligent Design example. Some proponents of Intelligent Design explicitly cited postmodern thinkers in their attempts to undermine the authority of evolutionary science. By framing scientific consensus as just another "narrative," they sought to elevate religious views to equal standing in education.

Unintended consequences. Many postmodernist scholars have expressed regret at how their ideas have been misused to attack scientific expertise and factual reality. The notion that all perspectives are equally valid has proven dangerous when applied to empirical questions with real-world consequences.

7. Fighting post-truth requires vigilance and critical thinking

Truth still matters, as it always has. Whether we realize this in time is up to us.

Challenge falsehoods. It's crucial to confront lies and misinformation promptly, as silence can be seen as tacit acceptance. While it may not convince the most ardent believers, pushback can sway those who haven't yet made up their minds.

Support quality journalism. Funding investigative reporting and fact-checking organizations is essential to maintain a shared basis of factual reality. Diversifying news sources and being willing to critically examine one's own beliefs are also important.

Teach media literacy. Education on how to evaluate sources, spot fake news, and understand cognitive biases is vital. Some key skills:

• Check for multiple reliable sources
• Be wary of emotional manipulation
• Look for original data/evidence
• Consider alternative explanations

Long-term view. While post-truth politics can seem overwhelming, research shows that repeated exposure to accurate information can eventually overcome even strongly held misconceptions. Persistence in defending truth and reason is essential for the health of democracy and society.

Last updated: September 9, 2024