In any relationship, whether between two or 300,000,000 people, if there is no shared understanding of truth…then the relationship has a problem. If a husband believes that all his children should be kept in cages between the ages of three and six, and the wife fervently disagrees, then the couple will have a significant problem. On a national scale, if one group believes grocery costs are increasing and another thinks the opposite, what happens?
An agreement over simple facts is essential. If the mayor’s son openly burns down the school in front of many witnesses, but the mayor hires an expensive lawyer who convinces a jury that the mayor’s son didn’t commit the crime, then confidence in the justice system becomes compromised.
Most interpersonal disagreements eventually manifest as disagreements over beliefs and truth. They might also disagree over what should be done, but inevitably, they fight over beliefs and truth. Why is it so difficult to agree on simple facts?
One reason for such disagreements is disinformation, the creation of false information intended to mislead others deliberately. People use disinformation to acquire money, sex, political favor, and many other end goals. Humans have created disinformation since the beginning of time, but modern technology has made it easier and more acceptable. Lying has historically been a negative characteristic, but today it has become a positive for many.
The current federal government is unquestionably testing the limits of mendacity. Will this trend continue? Will Trump remake America in his image?
The following video summarizes the problem of disinformation.
This is the playlist for @historyin1865:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7bGIonl3S2eEqkZb6-xB4oB2zXrd1_k6