Are Lies Accelerating in Our Digital Age? What Part Are We Playing?

I care deeply about the use of media and social channels, especially when they’re used to spread lies and hate. And I imagine you do as well.?

I have been writing about this danger and its effect for years. I wrote at the beginning of Trump’s run for the US Presidential nomination that we were entering a period of lies, false news, and exaggerated statements the likes of which we had never before seen or imagined. The outcome of which was a rapidly growing level of hate, equally pernicious, precisely because of the efficiency of digital media to spread such garbage in pursuit of revenue.??

It's all about the business model. It's an old adage that war is good for business. I’d suggest a new truism that in the digital media economy, everything that leads up to and then fuels the war is even better.?

Therefore, if I read one more article, story, or post about Putin’s war on truth, I will explode. People are dying…Ukrainians are being slaughtered on one side, and Russian soldiers are dying needlessly on the other. And yet, our Digital Pundits feel the obligation to talk about his assault on truth as if somehow this is another new territory to be explored—some new aspect of our digital world that deserves our righteous indignation and attention.

First and foremost, lying as a means of deflection, blaming, and pivoting the story is as old as humankind…Go no further than the Bible…Adam and Eve, and later Cain’s “who me?” defense, is still a popular defense and major religions have been built off of the backs of lies that demean and demonize others.?

But that’s then. Ancient history.?

We need only go back to the beginning of the last century to fully understand how modern media would play a role in the assault on truth and lead to the deaths of millions.?

Otto von Bismark, the German statesman and diplomat who provoked three wars and was revered by the Nazis, set the stage for us by saying:

“People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, and before an election.”?

Prescient or not, makes no difference…it rings true for our times as well.

World War I began with fear built on lies. World War II was ushered in by the Lugenpresse—also referred to as the “Lying” press, a term coined to describe the propaganda tactics of taking down and discrediting the press that took a counter view to the “official” versions of anything. The Nazis were masters.

And, of course, there was Soviet Russia and Vladimir Lenin who inspired future generations of evil with his keen and often used observation:

“A lie told often enough becomes the truth.”

Why am I bothering to tackle this issue yet again…you might ask?

Honestly, because I refuse to give up. In the US, we are entering into yet another election cycle, and already the lies are fast and furious…Russia and Ukraine have us all sick to heart. I watch my grandchildren and their friends growing up in this world where lies go viral and mainstream without context. According to Churchill, in his day, lies could go “halfway around the world before you put your pants on.” Today, they’re global as soon as you click, and an entire generation is growing up without the tools to distinguish truth from fiction…important from mundane…holy from profane.?

So, what is a person to do?

1. THINK BEFORE YOU SHARE.

You are increasing the outsized profits of the social platforms. You are empowering the algorithms that keep the lies alive by sharing. You are helping to increase hate, and yes, violence…even if you only share to show a friend or two how funny or ridiculous it is. Delete what you know is false, inciteful, and hate-creating. Share what you have established is true and right only.?

2. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL.

As the classic song goes, ”They seek the truth.” It's okay to monitor the younger one's activity and discuss with the older. Teach them not to confuse supporting one idea over another with a need to support falsehoods. On the contrary, there are lies all over the place…for example in the US, President Biden’s son, Hunter, is no better than any of Trump’s kids. There is no need to lie or disassemble the truth because you support one party or one person over another. Seek the truth for all.

3. DEMAND REGULATION.

Enough is really enough. No one will seriously self-regulate…there is way too much money to be had and profit to be made. Back in the last century, it took the virulent antisemitism of Father Coughlin, a topic I have written about before, to set standards for radio broadcasting and ad sales. Don’t you think the time is nigh???

4. CHAMPION ACCOUNTABILITY.

Even if it's “your side,” demand that people and institutions pay the price for lying and spreading false news. It's not acceptable to say that you don’t because it attacks the other side and holds them in check…see Nazi Germany above.

5. CUT THE DIGIBABBLE BS.

Where I began. Get over yourselves. While it's fashionable to pretend that nothing ever existed before, that’s a huge lie and maybe the core of this all. We can’t give a pass to it all in the name of so-called progress.?

An easy five. Half the ten. Moses would have had it easier.?

This demands personal commitment, discipline, and passion. There is nothing to join. No new tech to dazzle you. It's simple…start by stopping to share.

#thinkbeforeyoushare.

What’s your view?