The more something connects us to outrage, anger, or distrust, the more filters and caution we need to put in place. It’s not just democracy that is at stake, but also our mental health
“What hurt us the most were the hoaxes. » This is what one of the residents of the areas affected by DANA said. As I read this, I see several unpresentable people, with millions of supporters, disguised as war reporters, spreading hoaxes with their bare faces. Telling lies about whether people’s donations are thrown away or putting organizations like Cáritas or the Red Cross under suspicion when the only truth is that they are putting their boots on the line. , they are filled with lies full of bad faith and alarmism. Notoriety, likes, publicity, additional income and having, directly or indirectly, the rich blessing of the far right.
Whether for sadistic fun or ideology, the effect is the same: they emotionally destabilize those who watch their videos, read their posts, click on their profiles. Irritate, depress, vomit hatred, distort reality, inoculate skepticism, machismo, racism… In short, intoxicate the zombies, as if we were part of their game of Minecraft. Weaken ourselves and weaken democracy. These, not all of them, in their economic and social comfort zone, from their gaming chair or throwing themselves on the ground to get mud, put numerous filters on it to appear truthful and broadcast unverified content, in complete confidence. impunity.
The responsibility they have for these hoaxes or lies escapes them because in the end you are responsible, it is us who watch their videos in astonishment. For them, who go through everything, the responsibility and the fault are ours and the merit, theirs, is to succeed in being viral and in having the support of an extreme right which likes to see an increasingly dystocitic reality which makes the weak feel strong. .
The influencers who don’t care about the truth are the smart ones and we are the fools. In their logic of high prices and maximum profit, why will they oppose the veracity of what they broadcast? Their affair would end, they would no longer be anyone. The arduous task of verification is left to us. Sometimes it even seems like they are having fun playing cat and mouse, they are pulling a crazy prank and behind it all we will all share it or deny it, fight among ourselves. The danger is that we clash because, unfortunately, there are people who believe them. Marta Borraz explains it well in her report for this media: “Faced with a crisis like the current one”, there is a very relevant human need, that of “knowing what is happening and giving it meaning”. “And when there is no information or it is not immediate, alternative answers arise, it doesn’t matter whether they are true or not, but they cover that space, they make us feel calmer and make us believe that we apparently know what’s going on.”
This Thursday, during a conversation with good men with knowledge proven by their professional careers, I heard that politicians and the media are disconnected from reality. The way to get information is through Tik Tok and other social networks. My response was immediate: the “(mis)information” on the 700 deaths in the Bonaire parking lot or the non-deployment of the EMU or the various dams that were going to burst, (and the list is endless) was born from the networks and distributed by influencers. Who are those who are really out of reality? Unless by reality we are referring to a reality which does not exist or which is distorted.
Those who take journalism seriously as a public service know that information cannot be published without being verified with at least three sources. And three sources are not three people who stop to talk to us and give us their vision of reality. Three sources are not three pseudo-digital media whose signatures would not pass the truth machine test.
It would seem unusual to us that a test is carried out by a subject who only has to put on a gown, or that a surgical procedure is carried out by an individual who only has to open his hands before making an incision. on a human body. It would seem like a scam for our daughters and sons to be taught by someone who cannot read or write. We wouldn’t want someone who doesn’t know how to drive to take us in a taxi…
It’s not about distrusting everything and everyone. At present, when a large number of hoaxes and fake news are circulating, it is a matter of comparing the information we receive or checking how the person spreading it or the media supporting it or the website where they are located has acquired its notoriety and popularity. Be wary of extremely emotional headlines that make your heart race or those that contain value judgments and determine what you should think about someone or something. This is not news or information. Breathe and think for ourselves, and before sharing, check, no matter how hard the demons push us or if we feel the need to do something. The more we connect to outrage, anger, or distrust, the more filters and caution we need to put in place. It is not only democracy that is at stake, but also our mental health. Let’s be smart, let’s take care of her.
