Commentary
In the grand scope of civilization’s history, the average person was often left in the dark about the workings of the ruling classes due to technological limitations and censorship. Growing up, my family had limited access to information, with only a few TV channels offering news in a structured format.
Trust in government and media was high, and there wasn’t a strong desire for more information. The Watergate scandal and the subsequent televised hearings marked a shift in public perception, but even then, the full truth was not readily apparent to all.
As technology advanced, more channels and specialized news programs emerged, heralding the Age of Information. It was believed that this era would bring transparency and knowledge to the masses, leading to a global embrace of free economies and democratic governance.
However, with the advent of the internet in 1995, the floodgates of information opened wide. While this brought unprecedented access to news and knowledge, it also led to a decrease in attention spans and a crisis in reading long-form content.
Today, I observe young people engrossed in their phones, endlessly scrolling through short-form content on social media platforms. The ability to engage with deep, complex ideas seems to be waning, replaced by a constant stream of bite-sized information.
There was no comic book of my childhood and no cartoon on Saturday morning that was as thoroughly ridiculous as this.
And yet, amidst all the silliness, we now have unparalleled access to information about real-world events. In recent years, we have been inundated with an overwhelming amount of information. The past few weeks have bombarded us with real-time updates from various sources, revealing a significant disparity between the facts we uncover and the narratives presented by official sources. This has led to the proliferation of “conspiracy theories,” but with many of these theories proving to be true, it’s becoming increasingly important to maintain a healthy skepticism towards official accounts.
This influx of information has undoubtedly fostered a sense of mistrust, prompting us to question whether the world is truly unraveling before our eyes or if we are simply now uncovering the full extent of the truths that have always existed.
Many are grappling with these questions, particularly in light of the recent attempted assassination on Trump’s life, which has left many lingering inquiries. It’s reminiscent of the events of 1963, except now alternative perspectives surface within minutes rather than years, thanks to the vast array of information available. The implications extend far beyond this particular incident.
The question remains: will this surge of information help hold powerful individuals accountable? This can only be achieved if we prioritize freedom of information over censorship. The ongoing battle between the two is critical. President Biden’s choice to announce his withdrawal from the race on a relatively uncensored platform underscores the importance of unrestricted information flow, even for those who oversee censorship.
Despite the challenges posed by information overload, we should appreciate the wealth of information and opportunities for sharing it freely. While it may be overwhelming at times, embracing truth over falsehood is paramount. It’s better to navigate through the noise than to be confined to a static existence dictated by preconceived doctrines. Ultimately, a bottom-up approach to freedom and control offers a more fulfilling way of life. Embrace the current state of our world, as it presents unprecedented opportunities for progress and enlightenment.
Please note that the views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily align with those of The Epoch Times.
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