Political & Economic Analysis - The Brexit vote in 2016 resulted in unfulfilled promises, including a stagnant economy, reduced GDP, political instability, and no decrease in non-European immigration [2] - Post-truth and misinformation are major global risks, impacting convivencia and reducing the ability to control power [4][6][7] - Disinformation undermines knowledge, potentially risking survival by influencing beliefs on issues like climate change and vaccinations [9][10] Societal Impact - The primary searches on Google after the Brexit vote were about understanding the EU, highlighting a lack of prior knowledge [3] - Digital platforms are being used to spread anger, fear, and envy, hindering constructive dialogue [7] - The erosion of truth can lead to a loss of freedom, placing citizens at the mercy of those in power [8] Proposed Solutions - Regulation of platform companies is needed to combat misinformation, including banning automated accounts [12][13] - Protecting professional journalism is crucial for a functioning democracy [13] - Media and digital literacy should be integrated into basic education to build resilience against manipulation [14][15] - Personal responsibility, including a love for truth and a willingness to consider diverse perspectives, is essential [16][17][20]

Core Argument - The speech addresses the concept of "post-truth," defined as the distortion and manipulation of facts to evoke emotions and influence actions [5][6][8] - The speaker argues that post-truth has been used throughout history, but its impact is amplified by modern media and social networks [8][12] - The speech emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, questioning information, and listening to diverse perspectives to combat the effects of post-truth [22][23][24] Examples of Post-Truth - The Brexit campaign's claim that the UK gave £350 million per week to the European Union, which was later retracted, is presented as a prime example of post-truth [6][7] - The common image of Vikings with horns is cited as a historical example of post-truth, as there is no evidence to support this depiction [9] - The story of the Trojan Horse is presented as a potentially embellished account, where the horse may have been a battering ram rather than a gift [10][11] Impact of Media and Social Media - The speaker asserts that algorithms on social media reward outrage and negativity, contributing to the spread of post-truth [12] - The ease with which misinformation can be spread and amplified online is highlighted as a key factor in the prevalence of post-truth [13] - Subtle manipulations in media reporting, rather than outright lies, are identified as a common tactic [14] Confirmation Bias and Cognitive Dissonance - The speech discusses confirmation bias, the tendency to seek out information that confirms existing beliefs, and its role in accepting "one's own truth" over objective truth [20] - Cognitive dissonance, the discomfort experienced when encountering information that contradicts one's beliefs, is presented as a reason why people may choose to maintain their own version of the truth [21]