Facts are not Facts! @ Clash of the Titans

?? I am incredibly honoured to have been awarded the Best Speaker at the 8th Clash of The Titans Invitational Debate 2023, where I had the privilege of speaking for the motion "This House Believes That Facts are not Facts Anymore." It was an electrifying event held at the Amphitheatre, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, where esteemed debaters from renowned colleges such as LSR, SRCSS, KMC, IP, and Venkateshwara College, Delhi University, presented their compelling arguments.

During my speech, I aimed to shed light on the challenges we face in today's world when it comes to discerning facts from opinions. I began by recounting the transition from relying on the revered Encyclopaedia Britannica, which contained reliable information to the present-day dominance of Wikipedia. It set the stage for my three central arguments:

Firstly, I emphasized how opinions often masquerade as facts, creating alternative realities and swaying the masses through propaganda. I shared a disconcerting incident involving 7th graders who firmly believed that minorities didn't contribute to India's freedom struggle. They based their claims on sources such as WhatsApp messages, photographs of old newspapers, and popular websites. This blurring of lines between opinions and facts cast doubts on what we consider factual information today. I stressed the importance of critical examination of evidence to help individuals differentiate between mere opinions and verifiable facts.

Next, I delved into the challenge of the overabundance of information that inundates our lives. To illustrate this point, I referred to the popular AI-powered search engine, ChatGPT, which has become a go-to source for curated internet information. I shared my personal experience of asking ChatGPT about the Big Bang and receiving a response that contained incorrect information about the cooling process. This revelation left me concerned about the future, as machines might potentially serve us more half-truths and blatant lies. It highlighted the difficulty we face in distinguishing facts from non-facts amidst the vast sea of information.

Lastly, I addressed the disturbing trend of manipulating factually accurate data to serve personal agendas. Drawing examples from both ancient and modern times, I referred to the story of Ashwatthama from the Indian epic Mahabharat, where false information was spread to demoralize enemy troops. I also mentioned instances of government censorship and the dissemination of false information during the Emergency in India. These cases showcased the tragic consequences of false information and how it can be employed to manipulate people.

In my concluding remarks, I urged the audience to recognize that facts will be written by those in power, wielding the tools and intent to shape the narrative. I emphasized that clinging to the belief that facts will inevitably triumph in the long run may be naive. Just as history is written by the victors, so too will facts be written by those who control the narrative.

The recognition as the Best Speaker is truly humbling, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a crucial debate. Let us all take a moment to reflect on the impact of misinformation and the vital role of fact-checking in our daily lives. Together, we can cultivate a society that upholds the importance of facts and empowers individuals to make informed decisions.

#ClashOfTheTitans2023 #FactsMatter #InformationAge #CriticalThinking #PowerOfKnowledge