German Word of the Year 2016: “postfaktisch“250

The German Language Association (GfdS) has chosen "postfaktisch" as the German Word of the Year for 2016. This adjective, which can be translated as "post-factual" or "post-truth," describes a situation in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.

The GfdS cited the increasing use of the term "postfaktisch" in German media and public discourse as evidence of its growing relevance. The word has been used to describe a wide range of phenomena, from the rise of fake news to the increasing polarization of political debate. It has also been used to criticize the tendency of some people to dismiss facts that they find inconvenient or disagreeable.

The GfdS noted that the term "postfaktisch" is not new. It was first coined in the 1920s by the German philosopher and sociologist Max Scheler. However, the word has only recently become widely used, as the rise of social media and the 24-hour news cycle has made it easier for people to spread misinformation and propaganda.

The GfdS's decision to choose "postfaktisch" as the German Word of the Year is a reflection of the growing concern about the decline of objective truth in public discourse. In an era of fake news and alternative facts, it is more important than ever to be able to distinguish between fact and fiction.

The post-truth era

The post-truth era is a term that has been used to describe the current political and media landscape, in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. This has led to a decline in trust in institutions and experts, and a rise in populism and nationalism.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the rise of the post-truth era. These include the increasing use of social media, which has made it easier for people to spread misinformation and propaganda; the 24-hour news cycle, which has created a constant stream of information that can be overwhelming and difficult to process; and the rise of populism and nationalism, which has led to a decline in trust in institutions and experts.

The post-truth era has had a number of negative consequences. It has led to a decline in public discourse, as people are increasingly talking past each other and unable to agree on basic facts. It has also made it more difficult to address complex problems, as people are less willing to listen to facts that contradict their beliefs.

The importance of objective truth

Objective truth is the idea that there is a single, true reality that is independent of our personal beliefs or experiences. This is a fundamental principle of science and rational inquiry, and it is essential for a healthy democracy.

When people lose faith in objective truth, it becomes more difficult to have rational conversations about important issues. We can no longer agree on the facts, and we are more likely to resort to name-calling and personal attacks. This makes it difficult to solve problems and make progress.

It is important to remember that objective truth exists, even if it is sometimes difficult to find. We must be willing to listen to facts that contradict our beliefs, and we must be willing to change our minds when the evidence suggests that we are wrong.

How to fight back against the post-truth era

There are a number of things that we can do to fight back against the post-truth era. These include:
Be critical of the information you consume. Don't just believe everything you read or hear. Ask yourself who is providing the information and what their motives might be. Consider the evidence and try to determine whether it is accurate and reliable.
Support independent journalism. Independent journalists are less likely to be influenced by special interests, and they are more likely to report the truth. Support their work by subscribing to their publications and donating to their organizations.
Get involved in your community. Talk to your neighbors and attend local events. This will help you to understand the issues that are important to your community and to make informed decisions about the future.
Vote. Voting is one of the most important ways to make your voice heard. When you vote, you are choosing the people who will represent you and make decisions on your behalf. Make sure that you are informed about the candidates and their positions before you vote.

By taking these steps, we can help to fight back against the post-truth era and ensure that objective truth continues to play a vital role in our public discourse.

2024-11-16

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