By Deborah Dance
In the wake of recent elections, many of us find ourselves puzzled by the choices made by our fellow citizens. “How could people vote that way when the facts seemed so clear?” We hear this sentiment echoing in newscasts, private conversations, social media feeds, and online comments.
One possible answer is this—they simply didn’t know. Not because they lacked intelligence or interest, but because the truth became lost in a fog of information, misinformation, and noise. As one observer noted, it is as if “truth” itself “vaporized as soon as it materialized.” News that should matter is gone before it can take root in the public mind, creating an environment where poor choices may stem from information overload.
The Noise Problem
As a first-time candidate during the recent election cycle, I witnessed a troubling paradox: The volume of news and opinions was incredible. While this ideally should have created a well-informed electorate, the flood of information had the opposite effect. Too many voices can drown out the ones that matter, reducing critical information to background noise.
Beyond the noise lies the challenge of retention. Complex issues, judicial rulings, and in-depth investigations that deserve attention may be glossed over or forgotten as soon as they are published. A crucial matter revealing a candidate’s motivation, for example, may have received attention two years ago, yet been forgotten by election day.
Information that should stick often doesn’t, as people struggle to filter what matters from what doesn’t, and critical thinking becomes exhausting. In a hurry, many default to skimming headlines or the first few lines of an article.
This problem is not limited to news consumers; even news organizations fall prey to it. Reporters scrambling to break a story first may sacrifice depth and nuance. The desire to be first, or at least not last, can lead to coverage that lacks depth and makes it harder for the public to grasp complex issues that impact their lives.
The Problem with “Many Voices”
In theory, a diversity of voices in the media should be a strength. But when every voice is clamoring to be heard, critical truths will be drowned out by clickbait, soundbites, and competing narratives. Adding another layer to the problem, algorithms deliver information based on our viewing history rather than delivering up balanced, substantive and objective information.
Is There a Way Forward?
Is there a clear way to cultivate a truly informed electorate? Ultimately, every voter is responsible for their own choices, but those of us who value truth must make intentional efforts to find it. We need to slow down, seek reliable sources, listen, engage in critical thinking, and foster a culture where facts matter, and we learn to tune out the noise.
