Summary

The article discusses the importance of recognizing fake news and conspiracy theories, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and outlines ways to counter misinformation, including standing up to theorists and teaching critical thinking skills in schools.

Abstract

The world is at a crossroads following the COVID-19 pandemic, with a critical need to prevent future crises and better prepare for them. The article emphasizes that recognizing and combating fake news is essential for survival, as conspiracy theories and misinformation can undermine trust in knowledge and authority. It suggests two main strategies for addressing this issue: actively challenging conspiracy theorists by questioning the credibility of their sources and demanding evidence, and educating people, starting from school age, on how to identify fake news, understand manipulative tactics, and think critically. Finland is highlighted as a leading example, having integrated such education into its school curriculum to foster informed and responsible citizenship.

Opinions

Conspiracy theories, such as those linking 5G towers to the spread of COVID-19, are seen as dangerous due to their ability to sow seeds of doubt and erode confidence in established knowledge.
There is a moral obligation for individuals and big tech companies to defend facts and counteract false claims, as misinformation is not merely a difference of opinion but a matter of actual events.
Quassim Cassam, an English philosopher, advocates for direct confrontation with conspiracy theorists, urging people to scrutinize the sources and credentials of those spreading unverified information.
The Finnish education system is praised for its approach to teaching students and citizens how to recognize and deal with fake news, which includes identifying manipulated images and videos, understanding statistical misrepresentation, and being aware of propaganda techniques.
The article suggests that the ability to distinguish between fact and fiction will be a crucial skill for the future, aiding in the preparation for potential pandemics or other global challenges.

World

Are We Capable Of Changing The World After COVID-19?

Why recognizing fake news will be the key to our survival

Photo by Joshua Rawson-Harris on Unsplash

Everyone is talking and writing about the crossroads. Yes, here we are during a deadly pandemic and you can hear the echoes of “this must never happen again.” Or at least the next time we must be better prepared.

We must decide now or very soon which road we should take.

One way we could change the world will be to stop all the conspiracy theories. I doubt this will happen and let me tell you why. I will also suggest two ways we can at least start to counter all this nonsense.

5G towers spreading COVID-19 conspiracy theories are having a field day. Why? Because they have successfully planted seeds of doubts in people’s minds and they have unlimited access to audiences of millions of readers and viewers on social media.

Quassim Cassam, the famous English philosopher at Warwick University in the UK has set out in this TED talk how we become prey to those doubters who are rarely experts but they are always around ready to gaslight at the earliest opportunity.

“The more I doubt, the less I know. Knowledge requires a certain degree of confidence… and trust in yourself.”- Quassim Cassam

The conspiracy theorists are very good at eroding our confidence in our knowledge or ability to know.

#1. Stand up to them and rebut them

Quassim Cassam makes a plea for us all to stand up to the theorists and challenge them on what they are saying. We can try:-

· Ask them about the source of their “information”

· Ask them about their sources’ credentials such as expertise, education, research, publications.

· What gives them the authority to judge whether it is true or false

We all have a moral obligation to stand up and defend the facts. It is not a matter of opinion, it is what is actually happening.

But we may lack the expertise to give evidence and the facts. In the case of COVID-19, we need to have a certain level of knowledge to rebut the conspiracy theorists who say it was developed in a Chinese lab or that it is spread by 5G towers.

Prof. Cassam wants big tech companies to step up to the plate and start counteracting these dangerous and false claims.

“The classic form of a conspiracy theory is that there’s a small group of a small group of powerful individuals who are doing stuff behind the backs of the people and endangering our futures.” Quassim Cassam.

#2. Teach it as a school subject.

This is what is happening now in Finland. This country is streets ahead of the rest of the world in that its school system is one of the best. It also makes outdoor recess obligatory every hour and homework is reduced to a bare minimum. There is a lot more emphasis on co-operation in learning rather than competition.

“Real winners do not compete.” — Samuli Paronen

Finland is now introducing lessons on how to recognize fake news, trolls, and how to deal with them on social media.

These lessons are aimed at not just students but also citizens, journalists, and politicians.

The Finns were the target of fake news originating from Russia in 2014. All because Finland had condemned the Russian annexation of the Crimea.

Students are taught how to spot image and video manipulations and how to identify bots. Suspicious signs are when there is a lack of personal information or mistakes in translation.

The teachers also explain how statistics can be manipulated to tell the “truth.” They are also taught about propaganda campaigns in the past. Last but not least they are made aware of how certain words can be used to deceive and mislead.

“The goal is active, responsible citizens and voters. Thinking critically, fact-checking, interpreting and evaluating all the information you receive, wherever it appears, is crucial. We’ve made it a core part of what we teach, across all subjects.” — Kari Kivinen, a secondary school teacher in Finland.

Final thoughts

We are journeying through a cataclysm. Let us hope that we will be better equipped for the next pandemic or war.

Rejecting fake news and misinformation will be a key weapon for our survival.