Is modern media keeping us from thinking?
Earlier, many centuries ago, if something made logical sense, people were willing to accept it as true and then change their lives to align with it, even if those conclusions challenged their previous beliefs or habits. Truths back then were ‘absolutes’
For example, in mathematics, 2+2=4 is considered an absolute truth. The laws of gravity in Physics, similarly, are considered absolute truths.
Similarly there were moral absolutes — that God is the only source of true knowledge. Out of it were born the universal truths like the concept of human rights and values like honesty and truthfulness. Marriage between a man and a woman was also viewed as a moral absolute.
But today, barring scientific absolutes, most other absolutes have become relative — i.e., what I consider right, might not be necessarily considered right by the other person.
We keep saying this phrase, right — You are right in your own way, but I am also right in my own way.
For example, marriage and family structure. Once seen as a moral absolute, the traditional nuclear family consisted of a husband, wife and their children. But today, it’s a very ‘relative truth’.
Today, family structures are increasingly viewed as diverse and adaptable. Single-parent families, same-sex couples, multi-generational families, and chosen families (friends or communities who function as family) are accepted in many societies, reflecting a more relative perspective on what defines a family.
Relativism does have its merits, but only when it is balanced with a firm foundation
Today we live in a postmodern and digital age (late 20th–21st century), where culturally a lot of emphasis is on individual interpretations and the impact of media on perception.
Today truths and identities are no longer absolute or universal but are instead shaped by language, culture, and context. Postmodernists argue that human experience and understanding are fragmented, subjective, and open to interpretation.
For example, terms like “man” and “woman” historically referred to two distinct biological sexes (absolute truths) Today, however, terms like “nonbinary” or “genderqueer” have emerged, reshaping how gender is understood and expressed — reflecting more relative truths (individual interpretations).
Relativism does have its merits, but only when it is balanced with a firm foundation. Unfortunately, today it has confused people. With everyone having their own opinion, we find ourselves in a situation where personal opinions often outweigh logic (and critical thinking) and promote emotional reasoning and personal interpretations.
Imagine if scientific facts were merely “opinions” and historical facts reduced to personal interpretations?
Ungrounded relativism can lead to moral ambiguity and ethical paralysis. If there are no universal moral principles, how can we condemn acts of violence, injustice, or oppression? How can we hold individuals accountable for their actions if their moral compass is entirely subjective?
How is the media keeping us from critical thinking?
Relativism has already caused so much confusion, and then we have the media. Today, we are bombarded with so many ‘relative’ ideas, opinions, and individual interpretations that we don’t feel the need to sort out what is true and what is false.
Social media, in particular, has taken this to an entirely new level. Its algorithms are designed to appeal to our emotions and feelings rather than to logic, exploiting our psychological insecurities and vulnerabilities. These platforms thrive on polarising people, amplifying division, and driving emotional reactions because those reactions keep users engaged for longer periods. The more emotionally charged we are — whether through anger, outrage, or even fleeting joy — the less inclined we are to pause, reflect, and critically analyse the content being presented to us.
Today, we judge concepts not on their merit, but on whether they are popular, trendy, or deemed “cool” or “progressive.” We avoid the deeper, harder task of critically examining whether something is actually right or wrong. With the sheer amount of information available, we have today grown mentally lazy.
Conclusion
Modern media, especially social media, has created an environment where emotions rule over logic and popularity outweighs truth. While relativism and diversity of perspectives have their place, they must be grounded in a firm foundation. Without this balance, we risk becoming a society that values surface-level thinking over depth and emotional reactions over reasoned reflection. If we don’t reclaim our ability to think critically, we may find ourselves lost in a sea of confusion, unable to discern right from wrong or truth from falsehood.
