Recent events in Minneapolis, including the deaths of two protesters at the hands of federal agents, are exposing a deeper crisis: the collapse of a shared understanding of truth in the digital age. Unlike the 2020 unrest following George Floyd’s death, the current situation is amplified by rapid technological advancements and widespread distrust in institutions.
The Rise of Disinformation
The internet landscape has drastically changed in just six years. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, nonexistent in mainstream use in 2020, are now pervasive. Social media moderation has weakened, allowing misinformation to spread more freely. Influencers who once operated in obscurity now thrive on major platforms, sometimes even promoted by figures in positions of power.
Chaos After the Shootings
Following the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, a wave of manipulated content flooded the internet. AI-generated fakes of the victims circulated, authentic videos were met with skepticism, and even a U.S. Senator presented a doctored image as evidence. The federal government itself disseminated altered materials and supported demonstrably false claims.
This isn’t just about isolated incidents: it’s a systemic breakdown where truth is no longer a reliable anchor.
Eroding Trust and the Future of Consensus
Experts warn that Americans are increasingly unable to distinguish between fact and fiction, with many losing interest in doing so. The constant churn of online information obscures shared reference points, making it harder to build consensus. This poses a fundamental threat to democratic processes, which rely on a public capable of rational debate based on common facts.
The implications are clear: the U.S. may be experiencing a permanent shift in its relationship with reality. This challenges the very foundation of informed governance and collective action, as a society can’t function effectively without a baseline of verifiable truth. The erosion of trust isn’t just a political problem; it’s an existential one.
