Thinking in English 366. Do We Live in a Post-Truth Society? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Dec 15, 2025
What does it mean to live in a post-truth society? Misinformation spreads rapidly, often overshadowing facts as emotions take precedence over evidence. The rise of social media has led to echo chambers that diminish trust in institutions. Real-world examples, from Brexit to COVID-19, illustrate how emotional narratives can manipulate opinions. Deepfakes complicate our search for authenticity. Yet, there’s hope: promoting media literacy and critical thinking can empower individuals to discern truth from falsehood.
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When Feeling Trumps Fact
- Post-truth means feelings and identity often outweigh objective facts in shaping public opinion.
- Tom Wilkinson explains that facts still exist but have lost central influence in public debate.
Expectation Of Dishonesty Changes Everything
- Modern post-truth differs because people expect dishonesty and care less about truth itself.
- Tom Wilkinson argues that neither shock at lies nor concern for accuracy holds the same power as before.
Algorithms And Echo Chambers Fuel Misinformation
- The internet and social media allowed anyone to publish, mixing true and false information without editorial filters.
- Algorithms amplify emotional or controversial posts, creating echo chambers that reinforce beliefs, Tom Wilkinson explains.