Alternative facts, fake news, post-truth—these phrases have flooded the American conversation over the past several years. But how bad is it really, and what can we, as a society and as individuals, do to be better informed?
Join NCW Libraries and the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center for a virtual program on Thursday, September 24 at 4 p.m. to hear from WSU Professor Steven Stehr.
Professor Stehr will investigate the roots and consequences of the erosion of truth, with a focus on politics and science. From the rise of conspiracy theories to the echo chamber of social media, Stehr leads a conversation that asks to what extent are we living in a post-truth world? Have both political parties used deception to their advantage? How does the use of knowledge and facts vary in different policy debates?
Taking us through real-world examples of conspiracy theories, junk science, and fake news, Stehr shows audiences how to find facts in a world of misinformation.
This talk is presented in partnership with The Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service, which educates citizens across the state about democratic institutions and public affairs, and is based at Washington State University. For more information, visit The Foley Institute’s website.
Read an interview with Steven here.
All NCRL virtual events are free and open to the public. Events are held through the Zoom digital platform. To participate, register here. Once you register, an email will be sent to you with the Zoom event details and link. During each event, attendees will hear from the presenter and have an opportunity to submit questions through the chat feature for the author to answer live.