The idea for this article first struck me last September following a conversation with my mother about misinformation and its consequences. The motivation to write did not hit until today after reflecting on the recent Ukraine-Russia conflict and how rapidly information is being dispersed.
One of my favourite things about this era is how much information we have access to. It’s amazing because this accessibility is what fosters curiosity, and that in turn encourages learning and un/relearning.
In spite of this, we still struggle with misinformation. Although we aren't necessarily to blame, I am left to wonder why we often fall prey to this social endemic.
Why are we so gullible when it comes to misinformation?
I don't know if this article explains why, but I gave it a lot of thought, and this is what I could infer…
Why is the truth such a bummer?
Unfortunately, the truth is ugly because, by definition, it is what is. There is little chance to be creative when it comes to truth. Lies, however, get to be as easy, as simple, and as interesting as they like.
What dictates our decision to share information has very little to do with how true it is (not saying that we knowingly spread lies), but rather how compelling it is. We’d rather listen to fun facts than consume articles that detail the same information at length. We prefer juicy and astonishing stories - so much that we established fiction as a genre of literature. Sensationalism is just easier when you don’t have to bother with the facts.
This does not mean that the truth can’t be interesting (sometimes even more than any lie), but most of the time, it is not. The truth is oftentimes laden with grey areas and nuances, so it is often harder to consume. Seeking truth is actually hard work. It takes a while to arrive at it, and many of us are not invested enough to put in the work.
So, what now?
Tbh, I do not know how best we can combat misinformation, but I do think that better storytelling will do us a lot of good.
In trying to make the truth more compelling, a lot of details are often reviewed and fine-tuned. At the end, we are left with a misdirected narrative, kinda like those books that are made into movies.
We should find ways to present the truth in a compelling way; find ways to communicate and convince our audiences using approaches they are most comfortable with, without editing or spinning the facts.
And as consumers of information, we need to set better expectations whenever we are met with new information. We need to be critical of what we read/hear. Ask questions and demand evidence before arriving at conclusions. Do NOT leave anything to assumption.
I honestly do not think that we can ever rid society of misinformation, but I am convinced that if we can build a habit of truth seeking and storytelling, the truth might just win!
SONG OF THE MONTH: Asa - Good Times, The Cavemen.