Unfiltered Thoughts
Ever had a thought bubble pop into your head and wondered if others felt the same? Or better yet, have a deep desire to share it with the world?
WhyNot’s Unfiltered Thoughts series is your chance to do just that!
Our Unfiltered Thoughts series are not fully fledged submissions. Nor should they be modified, processed, or refined. They are, quite literally, bubbles of thought (100 – 300 words) in their most natural state (from your brain to the screen). Some might say they are akin to Twitter – except we want to pay you for them! That’s right! Every published unfiltered thought will receive $50.
You can submit your unfiltered thought through written text, an image, a video, or even an audio recording using the below form. Check back regularly to this page to find out what the latest topic request is or give us a follow via social media!
Currently looking for the following unfiltered thoughts...
Do you know what post-truth is?
Back in 2016, the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year was post-truth.
Post-Truth
[ˌpəʊst ˈtruːθ] adjective.relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.
The word post-truth has a close correlation to misinformation and disinformation.
In a post-truth era, emotions and personal beliefs have a greater influence on public opinion and decision-making than objective facts or evidence. This can create an environment where false information, rumors, and conspiracy theories can easily spread and gain traction, even if they are not supported by evidence.
Take climate change as an example.
Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges facing humanity, but it has become increasingly politicised in the post-truth era.
Misinformation and disinformation campaigns have been deployed to cast doubt on the reality of climate change, its causes, and its impacts.
Social media platforms have made it easier than ever for false information to be disseminated quickly and widely, often by individuals or groups with specific agendas or biases. The echo chambers created by social media algorithms can further entrench people in their beliefs and make it challenging to break through with accurate information.
How can we strike a balance between the need for online platforms to promote user engagement and the responsibility to prevent the dissemination of extreme misinformation?
What can we do to protect ourselves from falling victim to the potential harms of algorithm-driven misinformation?
To what extent can online algorithms be held responsible for the spread of misinformation?
Worried about the climate?
Did you know that 69% of young people feel like their thoughts, feelings, comments, and opinions about climate change are ignored by their families? It's an important issue that is affecting us all - including our own planet - so getting cut through matters!
What's your experience when trying to have these conversations with those (often skeptics) around you?
How have you managed to shift the narrative or change the game so more people listen up and take our planet's future seriously?
