Post-truth is, when taken on its own terms, is a pretty terrifying concept. Without the truth, the objective becomes subjective, and facts can be acknowledged or ignored based on personal bias. What you’re left with is the cultural and political landscape of 2023 – a hellscape of opinions, distractions and deceptions dovetailing into an infinite (but very VERY loud) void; a void encapsulated by one man perhaps more than any other. But we won’t be talking about him today.
Instead, we’ll be taking a more proactive stance on the whole thing and exploring how we, as creatives, are perhaps the best-equipped minds to tackle this most modern of problems and play with the blurred space between fiction and fact that post-truth and populism in general have wrought on our world. But to slay the monster, first we must seek to understand it.
Understanding post-truth
The term "post-truth" first gained prominence in the 1990’s in various academic circles but didn’t prove to really enter the mainstream narrative until the second half of the second decade of the 21st century. In other words, when everything started going to shit. It started inhabiting column inches around major political events where objective facts were less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.
In this environment, misinformation and fake news thrive, often proliferating through social media and other digital platforms. It becomes an Ouroboros entity constantly feeding itself while also expanding exponentially and suffocating the demonstrable truth out of existence .This landscape presents unique challenges and responsibilities for us creatives and leaves us, arguably, with a certain set of responsibilities.
The responsibility of creatives
As creatives, we hold the power and ability to influence public opinion and evoke emotional responses with our minds and idea. In a post-truth world, this power comes with the responsibility to navigate the fine line between expression and ethics, particularly when it comes to storytelling. And what aspect of creativity is anything other than storytelling, really?
For journalists and media professionals, this means adhering to rigorous fact-checking and ethical reporting standards. For artists, it involves being aware of the impact their work can have on public perception and societal discourse. It’s a lot to take in but, to help simplify the moral quandary somewhat, I’ve come up with a series of 5 tenets we might all want to consider in the coming years as our bullshit radars all become clogged by content.
Challenge misinformation
One of the most critical roles of creatives in a post-truth world is to challenge misinformation and present facts in engaging and accessible ways. By presenting information in a manner that is both appealing and informative, creatives can play a vital role in educating the public and combating the spread of falsehoods.
Promote critical thinking
By creating works that question the status quo, explore multiple perspectives, or encourage viewers to think about issues on a deeper level, creatives can foster a more informed and discerning public. This is particularly important in an era where the sheer volume of information available can be pretty overwhelming.
Use storytelling as a tool for truth
Narrative and storytelling have always been powerful tools for conveying essential truths about the human condition. In a post-truth era, creatives can use these tools to highlight realities that may be overlooked or ignored in mainstream discourse. This might involve telling stories from marginalised communities, exploring complex social issues or simply presenting human experiences in a way that resonates with and educates audiences. By bringing a wide range of perspectives and experiences to the table, creatives can challenge the dominant narratives and offer more comprehensive and inclusive views of reality.
Always consider ethics
Ethical consideration involves not only ensuring the accuracy of your work but also being mindful of its potential impact. Creatives must consider how their work might be interpreted or misinterpreted and the effects it can have on different segments of society.
Educate and collaborate
Education plays a crucial role in empowering creatives to fulfil their responsibilities in a post-truth world. This involves formal education in fields like journalism, art, and filmmaking, as well as ongoing professional development. Collaboration across disciplines can also be incredibly beneficial. For instance, artists partnering with scientists or journalists collaborating with filmmakers can lead to more nuanced and impactful work.
Looking ahead
As creatives, we ultimately have the opportunity to mould a more informed, ethical, and empathetic society. If we choose to do so. Is it our duty? That’s debatable. Is it a privilege though? Certainly. In the coming months and years, as the TRUE truth starts to become a distant memory, hold onto that and don’t be afraid to be the canary in the coalmine.
Because we all know that creativity and cowardice make uneasy bedfellows but creativity and courage go together like Donald Trump and bullshit…
