How America Lost Its Mind

9/3/2017

In this thought-provoking article, the author examines the rise of conspiracy theories, the erosion of truth, and the polarization of American society. It traces the origins of these phenomena to various factors, including the undermining of traditional sources of authority, the advent of the internet, and the influence of social media platforms. The article explores how these developments have led to a climate where people are increasingly disconnected from reality and prone to believing and spreading misinformation. It also delves into the psychological and societal implications of this "post-truth" era and offers insights into how we can navigate and address the challenges it presents.

public discourse ꞏ intellectual complacency ꞏ mindsets ꞏ cultural analysis ꞏ propaganda ꞏ decline of critical thinking ꞏ truth decay ꞏ cognitive dissonance ꞏ cognitive biases ꞏ irrationality ꞏ echo chambers ꞏ psychological factors ꞏ anti-intellectualism ꞏ decline of veracity ꞏ cultural trends ꞏ american society ꞏ psychological manipulation ꞏ information overload ꞏ populism ꞏ tribalism ꞏ belief systems ꞏ scientific skepticism ꞏ decline of expertise ꞏ media influence ꞏ information warfare ꞏ fake news ꞏ political polarization ꞏ social commentary ꞏ media manipulation ꞏ groupthink ꞏ partisan divide ꞏ conspiracy theories ꞏ social media ꞏ erosion of trust ꞏ societal change ꞏ emotional reasoning ꞏ misinformation ꞏ confirmation bias ꞏ post-truth era ꞏ intellectual isolation ꞏ epistemic crisis ꞏ historical perspective ꞏ decline of logic ꞏ intellectual decay ꞏ filter bubbles ꞏ societal fragmentation ꞏ loss of reason