We live in an information age in which a flood of data, facts and opinions streams at us every day. The search for the truth is often like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are an infinite number of sources of information, and all claim to represent the truth.

But is it really possible to find the 100 percent truth? The answer is probably no. Especially in today’s “silent post society” where news and information changes and transforms depending on how it is passed from person to person and from medium to medium. Added to this are social media and the phenomenon of fake news.

This article takes you on a journey through the complex world of information and disinformation in search of the blurry line between truth and lies.

The deception: The “silent post” principle and social media

The children's game “Silent Post” is a perfect example of the dynamics that often exist in our modern information society. A message begins at a certain point, is passed from one person to the next, and eventually changes so much that the final product bears little resemblance to the original. When we look at the role of social media, this phenomenon becomes even clearer.

Social media as a catalyst for information distortion

The way we receive and share information has been revolutionized by social media. Unfortunately, this also means that information is passed on quickly and without verification. This leads to distortions and in some cases even outright misrepresentations. Rumors, half-truths and even lies can go viral in no time and become deeply anchored in our collective consciousness.

Fake News: The Dark Side of Information

Another element that can make it difficult to find the truth is the phenomenon of fake news. This refers to intentionally false or misleading information that is often disseminated to manipulate or confuse public opinion.

The power of fake news

Fake news is dangerous because it blurs the line between truth and untruth. They are often so well made and obvious that you can believe them to be true. They can sow doubt and shape opinions. They can even influence political or social circumstances. This seriously threatens our ability to perceive the world around us knowledgeably and objectively.

The role of our subjective perception

Even if we directly witness what happened, we cannot always know the absolute truth. Our perception is subjective and is influenced by many factors.

Perception distortions and memories

Our perception is a complex mix of sensory impressions, cognitive processes and emotional reactions. This often distorts perception. In addition, our memory of an event can fade or change over time. So what we perceive as truth can be far from objective reality.

The manipulation of our perception

The way we are asked about an event can also influence our perception. Simply rewriting a question can lead to completely different answers, as the example of estimating speed in a traffic accident shows. This is an example of how our direct perception can also be manipulated.

Conclusion

In our complex and interconnected world, absolute truth may be an ideal that can never be achieved. The dynamic of “silent mail” in our society, reinforced by the role of social media and the phenomenon of “fake news,” makes distinguishing between truth and untruth incredibly difficult. In addition, our perception is subjective and can be manipulated.

Maybe we shouldn't necessarily look for the absolute truth. Rather, we should learn to think critically, question sources and be aware that the truth often lies in the gray area. This insight could help us better navigate a world where truth and reality are often more complicated than they first appear.

This might also interest you:

Online source criticism: How to find reliable information in the age of the Internet
The problem of selective information intake: Welcome to the digital arena!
Disinformation: The dangerous game with the truth


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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )