Dublin Tech Summit 2022 : How to be an Ally to Truth

Discover how to be a effective ally to truth, confront falsehoods, and defend factuality in a world where lies spread rapidly through social media. Learn the principles and ethics required to fight for truth and create a more fact-based world.

Key takeaways
  • Truth is a fragile ecosystem that requires constant defense and vigilance.
  • Effective allyship to truth demands one’s own willingness to confront and question falsehoods, regardless of how difficult it may be.
  • The ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is crucial, and factuality principle number one states that a fact is a claim that can be disproven but has so far withstood every attempt to do so.
  • Population-level change requires all hands on deck, as individuals must be willing to compromise and adapt to new information.
  • Lies spread by powerful people and amplified by social media cannot be stopped, and it will take decades and dedicated efforts to address the issue.
  • One must recognize their own vulnerabilities and defend against fictional narratives and misinformation.
  • Despair and frustration can be alleviated by acknowledging the difference between unreality and reality, and working towards a more fact-based world.
  • Principle number two states that the veracity of a claim is independent of who promotes it.
  • Fidelity to truth requires ethics, for it is a fundamental aspect of human governance.
  • The struggle for truth is ongoing, and every individual has a role to play.
  • The fight for truth demands that one be willing to challenge their own beliefs and let go of treasured narratives.
  • Truth needs allies, and individuals must take on the responsibility of being that ally.