It’s a big question, isn’t it? And one that’s becoming increasingly difficult to answer. I know. I’m starting 2025 with big reflections.
In today’s world of social media, algorithms, and artificial intelligence, the idea of “truth” feels more fragile than ever. False information spreads faster than ever before, often reaching more people than facts do. What we consider “truth” is now shaped by what we see online—content that’s often designed to capture our attention, not necessarily to be accurate.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on that. If our attention is constantly drawn to what’s engaging, entertaining, or shocking, what happens to the facts?
As Yuval Noah Harari -renowned historian and #1 bestselling author of ‘Sapiens’- has pointed out, tools like AI and algorithms make it even harder to separate truth from lies. We now all know that AI can now generate fake videos, images, and stories that are so realistic it’s almost impossible to distinguish them from the real thing. And then there’s the role of algorithms: they decide what we see online, prioritising posts that are more likely to keep us scrolling—regardless of whether they’re true or not. This creates echo chambers, where we’re repeatedly shown information that confirms our beliefs and shields us from other perspectives. Anger seems to be a great engagement tool.
Do we, as humans, prefer the truth, or would we rather believe the lie?
It’s a challenging question. Psychologically, we humans are drawn to information that feels comforting or validates our existing beliefs. Lies often fit that description better than the truth.
Research shows that people are more likely to accept information that aligns with what they already think or that stirs strong emotions. Sometimes, the truth is complicated, uncomfortable, or even frightening—whereas a lie can provide simplicity or reassurance. Or does it?
Think back to the COVID-19 pandemic. False information about the virus, treatments, and vaccines spread so widely that even some medical professionals were misled. Social media struggled to control the flow of misinformation, and because these falsehoods were repeated so often, many people started to believe them. It’s a powerful reminder of how easy it is for lies to gain traction when they’re repeated enough to feel true.
This brings us to the bigger issue. Democracies rely on citizens making informed decisions, but misinformation undermines that by distorting facts and spreading doubt. Harari reminds us that while misinformation isn’t a new problem, today’s technology amplifies it at an unprecedented scale. Mark Zuckerberg has recently announced no further controls on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp to fit in with the X narrative and political environment.
So, how do we, as humans, move forward in an age of misinformation and manipulation? Truth is more than just facts—it’s about honouring “what’s so,” and staying true to our word, our integrity, values, and beliefs.These are the foundations of what makes us unique. When we lose sight of them, it’s not just the truth we lose—it’s part of ourselves.
In the end, we have the power to choose who we become in life and that takes courage. Let’s stand for what makes us truly human: love, integrity, passion, creativity, humour, compassion.
Thank you for reading. Please share your views and comments with me.
