word of the year 2016(post truth)

 post truth

           Inspired by Prof. Dilip Barad’s blog “Post-Truth: Word of the Year 2016,” this reflection explores how emotions often win over facts in today’s digital world. In this post-truth era, it’s more important than ever to think critically, question what we see online, and stay aware of how easily false information can shape our opion.

1. Post-Truth: When Emotions Matter More Than Facts

           We live in a time where the truth doesn’t always win. Instead, people often believe what feels true, even if it isn’t backed by facts. This is the heart of what we call the post-truth era — a term that became famous when Oxford Dictionaries chose “post-truth” as the Word of the Year in 2016. ,  it made me think deeply about how we understand the world today. especially through digital platforms like WhatsApp, YouTube, and social media.

      2. What Is “Post-Truth”?  

      post-truth refers to situations where emotions and personal beliefs have more influence on public opinion than objective facts. In simple words, it means that people often believe what they want to believe  not necessarily what is true. This is dangerous because it makes us ignore real evidence and blindly follow messages that match our feelings, fears, or hopes.

     3. Why Was "Post-Truth" Word of the Year in 2016?

              In 2016, the world saw two major political events: the Brexit vote in the UK and the U.S. presidential election. In both cases, emotional speeches, fake news, and half-truths spread faster than facts. People shared viral posts that made them feel angry or proud, without checking if the information was true. This trend caught the attention of Oxford Dictionaries, who chose post-truth as the Word of the Year to reflect the growing danger of letting emotions rule over facts.

   4. How Does Post-Truth Affect Our Thinking Today?

             In the post-truth world, it’s easy to fall into what we call “echo chambers.” These are online spaces where people only see opinions they agree with, and block or ignore other views. This makes it hard to think critically. When we stop questioning and only follow what we want to hear, our opinions become less informed and more emotional. We might think we’re well-informed, but in reality, we’re just surrounded by voices that repeat the same unverified stories.

    5. The Role of WhatsApp, Social Media, and Influencers

            Digital platforms are powerful — but in the post-truth era, they can also be dangerous. Apps like WhatsApp allow messages, videos, and rumors to spread quickly, especially in local languages. Social media like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) also push content that gets more likes and shares — often emotional or shocking posts — whether they are true or false. Influencers with large followings may share opinions or products without verifying facts, and people trust them more than news reporters.

          For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many fake messages about cures or vaccines were spread on WhatsApp. Some said drinking hot water could kill the virus — a completely false claim. But many people believed and shared it because it felt hopeful. That’s post-truth in action.

   6. Real-Life Examples of Post-Truth

         A.    Election Misinformation: In many countries, fake news about political candidates is shared before elections. These stories are designed to create hate or fear — even if they are false.

        B.   Religious Rumors: WhatsApp forwards have spread rumors that caused tension between religious groups, sometimes even leading to violence.

        C . Celebrity Deaths or Scams: Often, false news about a celebrity’s death or a scam offer goes viral, only to be proven fake later. But by then, millions have seen and believed it.

  7. My Personal Experience with Post-Truth

          I’ve seen post-truth content almost every day — especially on family WhatsApp groups. Once, a video about a supposed miracle healing was shared, and many believed it without question. When I searched online, I found that the video was from a different country and had nothing to do with what the message claimed. Still, some people didn’t want to hear the truth because the story made them feel good. This showed me how strong emotional content can be — and how weak facts can become in a digital crowd.

    8. How I Try to Stay Critical

--To protect myself from post-truth thinking, I follow a few simple rules:

--Pause before sharing: If a message seems shocking, I stop and think before forwarding it.

--Fact-check: I use websites like Alt News, BoomLive, or Google search to check if the information is real.

--Ask questions: Who wrote this? Why was it shared? Is it backed by evidence?

--Balance my feed: I try to follow people with different opinions so I don’t get stuck in an echo chamber.

---Talk respectfully: Even when I correct others, I try to do it kindly so that they stay open to facts.

 9. Why It Matters Today

         Being aware of the post-truth world is important because our beliefs shape our actions. If we believe lies, we may vote wrongly, hurt others, or fall into fear or hate. That’s why critical thinking and media literacy are more important than ever. We must learn how to read smart, think deep, and stay calm when faced with emotional or viral content.

         Prof. Dilip Barad’s blog post reminded me that education is not just about learning facts — it’s also about learning how to think, how to ask questions, and how to stay awake in a world full of noise.

 Conclusion

          The post-truth era teaches us that truth alone is not enough — we must also care about how we find it, share it, and defend it. In a digital world full of quick content and strong opinions, being a responsible digital citizen means being smart, kind, and alert. As students and young thinkers, we must rise above emotional confusion and choose the harder, better path — the path of truth, understanding, and awareness.