Don’t Just Believe It: Staying Awake in the Post-Truth Era

We live in a time where truth is no longer the strongest tool in shaping public opinion. Instead, emotions, personal beliefs, and viral content often decide what people believe—whether it's true or not. This is what we call the post-truth era. After reading Dr. Dilip Barad’s blog post, “Post-Truth: Word of the Year 2016”, I started to realize how deeply this idea is affecting our everyday lives, especially through digital platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube.

In this blog, I want to share my understanding of the post-truth concept, how it influences the way people think today, and why we must be more careful about the content we see and share online. I will also reflect on how I personally deal with post-truth in my own digital experience, and why media literacy is more important than ever.

What is Post-Truth?


The term post-truth refers to a situation where facts are less influential than emotions or personal beliefs in shaping public opinion. As Dr. Dilip Barad explains in his blog, post-truth does not mean that truth has disappeared—but that people have started to ignore it when it doesn’t match how they feel.

In the post-truth era, people are more likely to believe information that supports their emotions or opinions, even if it’s false. It’s not just about “what is true,” but “what feels true.” That’s why a WhatsApp forward with dramatic words or a video by an emotional influencer can affect public opinion more than a factual news report.

Why “Post-Truth” Became Word of the Year in 2016


In 2016, Oxford Dictionaries declared post-truth as the Word of the Year. This was not a random choice. Two major global events happened that year—the Brexit referendum in the UK and the U.S. presidential election—where emotional campaigning and false claims were widely shared and believed.

Facts were available, but many people still believed fake news and emotional messages because it suited their views. This showed how feelings started winning over facts in public conversations. That’s why the word post-truth perfectly described the new media environment of that time—and sadly, it still describes today.

How Post-Truth Affects Opinions Today


In the post-truth world, the way people form opinions has changed completely. Earlier, we used to rely on newspapers, books, and trusted experts. Today, most people—especially students and young users—get their information from social media feeds, WhatsApp messages, reels, or short YouTube videos.

But the problem is, much of this content is emotionally charged, exaggerated, or even fake. It’s designed to make us feel something quickly—anger, fear, pride, or even guilt—so that we react, share, or comment without stopping to think. Over time, we start forming strong opinions based on this type of content, even when it’s misleading or completely false.

The danger is not just about being misinformed—it’s about becoming unaware of how easily we are influenced. In this environment, people believe what "goes viral" rather than what is verified.

The Role of WhatsApp, Social Media, and Influencers


Dr. Barad’s second blog, “Beware of Histofluencers”, makes an important point: influencers are replacing historians and experts in shaping public memory and opinions. A person with a camera and confidence can now rewrite history in a 60-second Instagram video, and people may believe it more than a professor or textbook.
Apps like WhatsApp, which seem harmless, have become powerful tools in spreading unverified and emotionally loaded content. A forwarded message about politics, religion, or nationalism can spread faster than real news. And because it's shared by a friend or family member, people trust it without checking.

Similarly, YouTube influencers and “histofluencers” (as Dr. Barad calls them) often present dramatic versions of history or current events. These videos are full of emotion, music, and storytelling tricks that make them feel real—even when they are misleading.

This is the true power of post-truth: it makes false things feel more real than facts.

Real-Life Examples of Post-Truth Influence


We don’t have to look far to find examples of post-truth influence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, hundreds of fake remedies and conspiracy theories went viral—some people refused vaccines, believing WhatsApp forwards over health experts.

In India, there have been multiple cases where fake videos or edited content triggered riots or political tension, simply because they were shared widely and believed emotionally. Even in student communities, rumors about exams, results, or protests can go viral and cause panic—all because someone shared it “just in case.”

These examples show how dangerous it can be when emotion beats logic.

My Personal Experience with Post-Truth


I have personally faced the effects of post-truth in my daily life. Many times, I have received emotional WhatsApp messages about political issues, religious matters, or health tips. At first, I used to believe them without question—especially when they came from family members or trusted friends.
Once, I even shared a forward about a major national event without checking the source. Later, I found out it was false. I felt embarrassed, but it taught me a valuable lesson: not everything that looks convincing or feels true is actually true.

Even on Instagram, I’ve seen so-called “history reels” where influencers confidently say things about famous events or personalities that are actually misrepresented. Without proper references, these videos become more like entertainment than education. But sadly, people start quoting them as facts.

How I Stay Critical in the Post-Truth Era


To deal with this growing problem, I have started using a few strategies that help me remain alert and thoughtful:

1. Pause before reacting or sharing – If a message makes me feel angry, proud, or emotional, I take a moment before I believe it.

2. Check the source – I look for the original source of the information. If it comes from a credible news agency or expert, I consider it more trustworthy.

3. Use fact-checking websites – Platforms like Alt News or Boom Live help verify viral claims.

4. Compare information – I try to look at different sources and viewpoints instead of believing only one version.

5. Ask questions – Instead of blindly accepting, I ask: “Who is saying this?” and “Why are they saying it this way?”

These habits may take a little time, but they help me think critically instead of being passively influenced.

Why We Must Be Media Literate


In the digital age, we are all consumers and spreaders of information. That’s why media literacy is not optional—it’s essential. Being aware of the post-truth condition helps us become responsible users of digital media.

We cannot stop people from creating false or emotional content. But we can choose not to be fooled by it. And we can help others, especially our classmates, friends, and family members, to be more aware and alert.

As Dr. Dilip Barad rightly emphasizes, the truth is not dead—but it’s under attack. It’s our responsibility to protect it with our thinking skills.

Conclusion


The post-truth era is not just a political or global issue—it affects each of us personally, every time we open our phones. In a world where feelings often win over facts, we must learn to pause, think, and verify.

Reading “Post-Truth: Word of the Year 2016” and “Beware of Histofluencers” helped me understand how serious this issue is. From WhatsApp forwards to influencer videos, false or misleading content surrounds us. But by becoming more critical and media literate, we can protect ourselves—and others—from being manipulated.

In the end, don’t just believe it—question it. That’s how we stay awake in the post-truth era.

Works Cited


Barad, Dilip. Post-Truth: Word of the Year 2016. https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2017/01/post-truth-word-of-year-2016.html