Unraveling Misinformation's Roots

This chapter explores the origins of contemporary misinformation discourse, particularly tracing its emergence from significant political events in 2016 such as Brexit and the Trump election. It highlights the shift in public attitudes toward expertise and examines the role of social media in shaping perceptions of misinformation, especially in political and public health contexts. The discussion includes the complexities of interpreting scientific debates, such as those surrounding mask-wearing and vaccines during the COVID pandemic, addressing the challenges of navigating truth and misinformation in urgent public health messaging.