In a world that is increasingly characterized by digital communication and information, we encounter a variety of terms every day that shape our interactions and experiences. These terms – from “ narrative ” and “ storytelling ” to “ whataboutism ”, “ gaslighting ” and “ fake news ” – largely belong to media and communication studies. They can be referred to as “media phenomena,” a category that covers a variety of concepts and practices that are widespread in both the physical and virtual worlds.
Some of these terms, such as “ narrative ” and “ storytelling ,” are tools used in both positive and negative contexts. They are essential parts of our communication and play a key role in conveying information, shaping our perceptions and influencing our opinions.
Other terms, such as “ whataboutism ,” “ gaslighting, ” and “ fake news ,” are used specifically to describe manipulation and disinformation tactics . They are symbols of the dark side of digital communication, showing how easily our perceptions and opinions can be manipulated and distorted.
Understanding these terms and the concepts behind them is therefore crucial. By understanding their meaning and impact, we can better navigate the complex web of digital communication and make informed decisions. So let’s take a look at these terms and what they mean in our connected world.
Here are some examples of the terms: Narrative, Storytelling, Whataboutism, Echo Chambers, Filter Bubbles, Gaslighting, Virtue Signaling, Cancel Culture, Post-Truth, Fake News, Deepfakes, Social Bots, Infodemic
- Narrative : Global warming is often portrayed as a battle between humans and nature, providing a powerful narrative for environmental campaigns.
- Storytelling : Apple uses storytelling in its advertising campaigns by telling stories of people achieving their dreams with the help of Apple products.
- Whataboutism : In a debate about human rights abuses in country A, a politician draws attention to human rights abuses in country B instead of addressing the problems in country A.
- Echo Chambers : A vegan only follows other vegans and animal welfare organizations on social media, which results in them only seeing opinions and information that confirm their own views.
- Filter Bubbles : A Google user who is constantly searching for information about climate change will primarily receive search results that confirm their existing views due to Google's personalized algorithm.
- Gaslighting : An unfaithful partner claims that their partner is paranoid and is imagining things to cover up their own wrongdoing.
- Virtue Signaling: A clothing company claims in its advertising campaigns that it is committed to sustainability, but in reality hardly engages in environmentally friendly practices.
- Cancel Culture : An actor loses his role in a film due to controversial tweets he posted in the past.
- Post-Truth : Despite scientific evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, many people continue to believe conspiracy theories about the shots.
- Fake News : A viral Facebook post falsely claims that a celebrity has died.
- Deepfakes : A deepfake video showing the US President declaring war is being spread online, causing confusion and panic.
- Social Bots : During an election campaign, thousands of social bots are used to spread false information about a candidate and influence public opinion.
- Infodemic : During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, people were bombarded with so much information and misinformation about the virus that it was difficult to find reliable information.
What is narrative and storytelling?
Narratives, also known as stories, are descriptions or representations of events that are connected and make sense. They are often used to present complex ideas in an easy-to-understand form. They can appear in various forms, for example in books, films, speeches or advertisements. In political communication, narratives are often used to mobilize and persuade voters.
Storytelling is the practice of creating and sharing narratives. It is a universal and ancient method of transmitting knowledge, culture and values. In the context of businesses, storytelling is often used as a marketing technique to strengthen customer relationships and promote products or services. Good stories generate emotional reactions and can therefore be particularly memorable.
Whataboutism, Echo Chambers and Filter Bubbles
Whataboutism is a technique of deflecting criticism by pointing out others' mistakes or shortcomings. This diverts attention from the original criticism and dilutes the discussion. It is a common tactic in political debates and on social media, where it is often used to ignore criticism and instead focus attention on other issues.
Echo chambers and filter bubbles are phenomena that arise from the personalized way information is presented on digital platforms. Echo Chambers refer to situations in which people only exhibit and consume information that confirms their existing opinions. Filter bubbles are similar, but specifically relate to personalized online search and social media feeds, which result in users only seeing information that reflects their views.
Gaslighting, Virtue Signaling and Cancel Culture
Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which someone attempts to cause another person to doubt their own perceptions or memories. In politics it can be used to refute criticism or to control discourse.
Virtue signaling is the act of publicly demonstrating moral values or virtues, often to gain recognition or avoid criticism. In the corporate world, Virtue Signaling can occur, for example, through environmental initiatives or philanthropic activities that do more to improve the company's image than to solve actual problems.
Cancel culture is a phenomenon in which people or organizations are publicly ostracized, often due to controversial or unpopular opinions. This can result in them losing their platforms, their jobs or their reputation. It is a controversial phenomenon that receives both support and criticism.
There are numerous well-known cases of “cancel culture”. Lisa Eckhart, a cabaret artist, was excluded from the Harbor Front Festival in Hamburg due to anti-Semitic remarks. JK Rowling, the creator of Harry Potter, has repeatedly sparked controversy for her tweets about trans people. “RIP JK Rowling” tweets encourage people to leave the author alone and stop consuming her books.
Another prominent example is the German comedian Dieter Nuhr. After statements that were interpreted as trivializing the climate crisis and the corona pandemic, he became the target of “cancel culture”. The Muppets were also victims of “cancel culture.”
Post-Truth, Fake News, Deepfakes, Social Bots and Infodemic
The term “post-truth” refers to a social climate in which public opinion is influenced more by emotions and personal beliefs than by objective facts. This can lead to polarization, disinformation and distrust of experts.
Fake news is intentionally misleading or false information often spread to manipulate public opinion. They can have political, social or economic implications and often contribute to the spread of conspiracy theories.
Deepfakes are fake videos or audio files created using artificial intelligence that depict real people. They represent a new form of disinformation because they often appear deceptively real.
Social bots are automated accounts on social networks that simulate human behavior. They can be used to spread fake news or manipulate discourse and opinions.
An infodemic is an excessive amount of information, often including misinformation or disinformation, that makes it difficult for people to find reliable and accurate information.
An overview
| Expression | Who uses them | motive | Goal | Where can you find them? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Narrative | Authors, journalists, marketers, politicians, fraudsters, etc. | Convey information or ideas in an engaging manner. | to communicate messages and shape opinions or perceptions. | In books, articles, films, speeches, marketing materials, social media, etc. |
| Storytelling | Authors, journalists, marketers, politicians, fraudsters, etc. | Connect with the audience and convey information in a memorable way. | To entertain, inform or persuade the audience. | In books, articles, films, speeches, marketing materials, social media, etc. |
| Whataboutism | Politicians, commentators, debaters, fraudsters. | Distraction from criticism or shortcomings. | To deflect responsibility and postpone the discussion. | In political discourses, debates, comments. |
| Echo Chamber | Social media users, political activists. | Confirmation of one's own views. | Reinforcing existing beliefs. | On social media, forums, blogs. |
| Filter Bubble | Social media and search engine algorithms. | Show relevant content to users. | Increase user engagement. | On platforms like Google, Facebook, Twitter. |
| Gaslighting | Manipulators in personal, professional or political contexts, cybercriminals. | To gain power and control. | To sow doubt about the perception of the victim. | In personal relationships, at work, in politics, in the media. |
| Virtual Signaling | Individuals, companies, political actors. | To create a positive image. | To gain social recognition or approval. | In social media, public statements, advertising campaigns. |
| Cancel culture | Social media users, activists. | Punishing behavior that is perceived as offensive or harmful. | Behavioral change or expulsion from a community. | On social media, in public discourse. |
| Post Truth | Politicians, media, propagandists, fraudsters. | Pushing beliefs or agendas regardless of objective facts. | Influencing public opinion or behavior. | In political campaigns, media reports, social media. |
| Fake news | Fraudsters, political actors, media. | To influence public opinion, to cause confusion. | Influencing public opinion or politics, creating chaos. | In the media, social media. |
| Deepfake | Technology enthusiasts, criminals, political actors, cybercriminals. | Deception, entertainment. | Deception, manipulation of public opinion. | On video platforms, on the dark web, on social media. |
| Social bots | Cyber criminals, political actors, companies. | Scaling communication, manipulating public opinion. | Spreading messages, influencing discourses. | On social media, on social media platforms. |
| Infodemic | Media, social media users, scammers, cybercriminals. | Information, disinformation. | Dissemination of information or disinformation. | On social media, in the news, on digital platforms. |
Conclusion:
The digital world is constantly evolving and so are disinformation tactics. It is important to recognize that no one is immune to these techniques. Any of us can become victims of manipulation and disinformation. Awareness that not everything we see or hear online is true is therefore crucial. Critical thinking, media literacy and a healthy dose of skepticism are necessary to meet the challenges of today's information landscape.
It should also be emphasized that not only individuals, but also platforms and media companies are responsible. They must live up to their responsibilities to curb the spread of disinformation, flag false information and use transparent algorithms to prevent filter bubbles and echo chambers. A coordinated effort from governments, platforms, media and civil society is necessary to promote a healthy and informed digital public.
All in all, we should strengthen our media literacy , think critically and engage with different sources. We should question our own prejudices and preferences and be open to other perspectives. We can curb the spread of disinformation and build an informed society based on facts and reliable information by using digital media consciously and responsibly.
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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 )

