In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded with information from various sources. With the rise of social media, it has become easier than ever to access news and opinions from all over the world. However, this abundance of information has also led to the spread of false information, which can have a detrimental impact on society.

The term “post-truth” has been used to describe a situation where objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. In other words, people are more likely to believe something if it aligns with their preconceived notions, regardless of whether or not it is true.

The rise of post-truth has been attributed to several factors, including the proliferation of social media, the decline of traditional news sources, and the increasing polarization of political discourse. In a post-truth world, misinformation and propaganda can spread quickly and easily, often with little or no fact-checking or critical analysis.

Post-truth politics is a political culture in which debate is framed largely by appeals to emotion disconnected from the details of policy, and by the repeated assertion of talking points to which factual rebuttals are ignored. Post-truth differs from traditional contesting and falsifying of truth by rendering it of “secondary” importance. It is made possible by two threats to public sphere: a loss of trust in institutions that support its infrastructure and deep changes in the way knowledge of the world reaches the public. 

While this has been described as a contemporary problem, there is a possibility that it has long been a part of political life but was less notable before the advent of the Internet. In the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell casts a world in which the state is daily changing historic records to fit its propaganda goals of the day. Orwell based much of his criticism of this on Soviet-Russian practices. Post-truth is a close cousin of relativism, where my truth and your truth might well collide, but we’re not going to get into any informed arguments or debate, out of which truth might emerge.

One of the most significant impacts of post-truth on society is the erosion of trust in institutions. When people are constantly exposed to false information, they start to question the validity of everything they hear. This can lead to a breakdown in trust between individuals and institutions such as the government, media, and scientific community.

Post-truth can also have a significant impact on public health. When false information about vaccines or medical treatments is spread, it can lead to people making decisions that put their health at risk. For example, the anti-vaccine movement has led to outbreaks of preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough.

After much discussion, debate, and research, the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year 2016 is post-truth — 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’. 

Evidently, “post-truth” pipped other buzzwords to the post this year because a blithe disregard for facts has characterised both the vote for Brexit in the UK as well as the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. But post-truth politics is having its day in India as well. Increasingly, unpalatable facts are being waved aside and the sceptics shouted down. What seem to sway the masses and mould public opinion are skillful plays on emotion and ancient resentments.

Why was this chosen as Word of the Year?

The concept of post-truth has been in existence for the past decade, but Oxford Dictionaries has seen a spike in frequency this year in the context of the EU referendum in the United Kingdom and the presidential election in the United States. It has also become associated with a particular noun, in the phrase post-truth politics.

Post-truth has gone from being a peripheral term to being a mainstay in political commentary, now often being used by major publications without the need for clarification or definition in their headlines.

The compound word post-truth exemplifies an expansion in the meaning of the prefix post- that has become increasingly prominent in recent years. Rather than simply referring to the time after a specified situation or event — as in post-war or post-match — the prefix in post-truth has a meaning more like ‘belonging to a time in which the specified concept has become unimportant or irrelevant’.

So, what can we do to combat the spread of false information? One solution is media literacy education. By teaching people how to critically evaluate information and sources, we can help them distinguish between fact and fiction. Additionally, fact-checking organizations can play an important role in verifying information and exposing false claims.

Another solution is for individuals to take responsibility for their own beliefs and actions. We should all strive to be informed and rational citizens who make decisions based on evidence and reason, rather than emotion and personal bias.

Post-truth is a growing problem in our society that can have serious consequences. The rise of post-truth is a reminder of the importance of truth and accuracy in shaping public opinion and decision-making. By promoting media literacy and critical thinking skills, as well as taking responsibility for our own beliefs and actions, we can work towards a more informed and rational society.

Postscript

Another impact of post-truth is the spread of conspiracy theories. These theories often prey on people’s fears and anxieties and can be used to justify harmful or discriminatory actions. For example, the conspiracy theory that the COVID-19 pandemic was intentionally created by a government or organization has led to increased hostility towards certain groups and individuals.