By: DONLD SEVILLA
LIES, TRUTH, SOCIAL MEDIA AND POLITICS
In this day and age where we are constantly bombarded by information and misinformation, we must learn to be discerning and not easily jump to conclusions lest we unwittingly fall prey to clever manipulation.
Social media is full of content yet how many are lies far from the truth? Where before distinguishing fact from fiction could easily be done, with AI and the internet, things have become much harder and complicated.
Sifting through the myriad of information flooding us daily, looking for the truth is a challenge. Yet, we must overcome these obstacles in order to gain a better perspective of things.
Having said so, we must do our best to adapt to the changing times. In this world, perception matters but more so in the realm of politics.
This has given rise to the creation of troll farms and other means of communication platforms to influence public opinion in cyberspace.
In politics presenting a “good image” of oneself is a must to sell the product and gain market acceptance. The electorate is easily wooed by what they see and perceive.
Hence, propaganda matters. It is further boosted by a strong social media presence and reinforced by equally effective traditional tactics on the ground. These are essential to achieve success in a highly competitive environment.
But politics being what it is, entails a lot of treachery and manipulative skills. Far from being noble it is a dirty game.
Yet, our lives cannot escape its grasp. No matter how we try to avoid being embroiled in it, we must face it.
At the end of the day, how we handle ourselves matter. We must learn to navigate the complexities of our lives and not lose our bearings. We must know how to discern and choose well.