First of all, I want to make it clear that I prefer what's called Americano coffee for a good cup of coffee, although some Central American acquaintances consider it too watery and bland, and they prefer a version called "filtered" coffee, very similar to espresso, which, by the way, is also quite enjoyable—espresso—though everything has its time and place. To conclude this coffee introduction, coffee from different origins has its own flavor, and everyone has their preferences; Peruvian coffee is different from Colombian, Cuban, and so on.
Getting to the point, today I want to talk about a problem I see becoming more pronounced in our times; it's called the "post-truth era." Not so many years ago, it was possible to have interactions and conversations with people who had different opinions on any subject. Everyone had their own perspective and respected others. Of course, there have always been those who considered themselves "the owners of the truth," who wanted to impose "their truth" on others, but they were the minority.
Those of us with engineering backgrounds tend to gravitate towards objectivity, seeking the "why" behind things, not content with mere hearsay, but rather striving to understand the root of the problem. This makes the current environment we live in all the more surprising, where many people "believe" everything they see on social media, and we have an overabundance of "gurus" or experts on "everything," who in turn rely on "fabricated" information. The curious thing is that it seems the algorithm of TikTok, or other social networks, promotes the spread of this type of news, reinforcing user bias.
They say if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and sounds like a duck… it's a duck. It's true that everyone has the freedom to "go with the flow" and not use critical thinking, perhaps out of fear of being exposed to uncomfortable truths. Imagine realizing you've been living in a bubble for a long time and having to decide whether to stay or face reality.
Personally, I believe it's better to read, and even listen to those who have different opinions; perhaps they can shed some light on areas where you need to change or improve, for your own good.
Regarding social media, always keep in mind that it's powered by an algorithm that will show you news based on your own preferences, presenting a biased view of reality. I'm not saying you should abandon it, but I recommend being mindful of this to stay grounded. And remember that it's better to have a complete picture, the "big picture," to better face the challenges ahead.
Well, I'll leave you with a recommendation: read about "Plato's Cave," and I look forward to your comments. Until next time.
Excellent point, Professor. I'll read the recommendation right now.