Is the truth relevant anymore?

[kentuck]

Everyone gets their "news" from different sources. Some get their "news" from MSNBC, some from FOX, some from CNN, some from Washington Post, some from the NY Times, some from Drudge, some from Breitbart, etc.

Some do not report the facts or the truth, as much as they report political propaganda. The "truth" is whatever they can get their readers or viewers to believe. It does not have to be based in fact. Perception is reality and many believe stuff that is simply not true.

This creates a serious problem when there is no consensus on events or political stories. For example, Hillary Clinton was perhaps the most dishonest politician ever. In contrast, Donald Trump is honest and trustworthy and most of the attacks against him are from "angry liberals". He does not lie as much as the average politician. The "truth" is probably something totally different?

But, if enough people perceive something as true, they are not open to other opinions or facts. Master propagandists, such as Trump and Bannon, can use this to their advantage. The truth is no longer relevant to political discussion. How do we, the people, change that reality?

[brooklynite]

1. You miss the point...

People don't passively "get" their news from one biased source or another. They actively choose to go to news and information sources that reinforce their existing beliefs and biases. People here are no different.

[kentuck]

4. People do choose their sources, you are correct...

But some choose sources that are more factually and reality-based, in my opinion, for whatever reasons. Those that cannot distinguish facts from fantasy are more easily manipulated, in my opinion. I think people here are different, generally speaking.

[WinkyDink]

2. We cannot. There is a core of citizens who regard "Democrat" and "liar" as synonyms. NO MATTER WHAT.

[Cosmocat]

3. We truly are now living in a post facts world

nm

[Mr. Ected]

5. If facts don't matter, then the Constitution is irrelevant and so is everything else

We have allowed our press to merge opinion with fact in their reporting without any warning to the public of its nature. Decades of radio and TV brainwashing operations have converted a substantial portion of our population into factual zombies, reactive to buzzwords and immune from deprogramming.

Trump and his supporters have raced this new dynamic into our collective psyche. It was always there, lurking below the surface. Under Trump, it has been gloriously revealed and exploited. The internet age has accelerated and proliferated the cancer on truth.

Kentuck, we are screwed. Even if we out-populate and out-vote them, they man the controls and will continue to purvey inaccuracies that a gullible and ever-angry constituency will gobble up like candy.

[kentuck]

6. The one thing that could possibly work?

Is if someone bought FOX News and replaced the brainwashed talking heads that populate that network. Politicians like Trump, and other Republicans, maintain their power primarily thru FOX News. Someone needs to buy that network and change it.

[Shell_Seas]

7. Bring back the Fairness Doctrine...

The only real solution I see. Otherwise, people will continue to spin what they can or say things that are completely made up for the sake of money.

[Dulcinea]

8. The truth will ALWAYS be relevant.

In the words of the late Pope John Paul II:

"...If your reporting does not always command the attention you would desire
Or if it does not always conclude with the success you would wish
Do not grow discouraged.

Be faithful to the truth and to its transmission
For truth endures
Truth will not go away
Truth will not pass or change

And I say to you... that the service of truth
The service of humanity through the medium of truth
Is something worthy of your best years
Your finest talents
Your most dedicated efforts."


Pope John Paul II
New York, United Nations
1979


In 1979, on his first papal visit to the United States, Pope John Paul II met
with a small group of reporters covering his United Nations appearance.