An adviser to Woodrow Wilson is said to have inspired him to form a committee on public information, at least in part because of his statement that “truth and falsehood are arbitrary terms. ... The force of an idea lies in its inspirational value. It matters very little if it is true or false.”
Granting further insight into truth wars, George Orwell penned, “The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.”
In our polarized world of misinformation, too many are willing to hate even the pursuit of truth, often because they have an “opinion.” Truths are handily set aside in favor of the comfort and safety of popular “opinion.” But hasty opinions lead to wrong choices and the takeover of public discourse by the designing, the powerful and the falsely educated renders political discourse toxic.
We see it in the hate chronicles, climate opinions, vaccine opinions, in every political corner and elsewhere. When one side of an issue is hidden and the other promoted exclusively in media coverage it becomes de facto “truth,” true or not.
The obvious nation-preserving imperative is to pursue true and wise courses. Encouragements to “just go vote” are empty, counterproductive. The allure of flattering words and foolish promises is strong, but without understanding of points and counterpoints, it’s probably better not to vote. We are losing understanding of the perspicacious ideals embodied in the Constitution and the wisdom of ages which speaks cautiously and negatively of socialistic actions.
Allan South
Orem