The Mission Of Education: 10 Commandments In A World Of Post-Truth

Reading the news has become a challenge these days. Is this piece of information driven by facts, emotion or hidden motives? In other words, are we reading an objective article created after thorough research, or is it just a bunch of scattered alternative facts made up to serve an agenda?

It is terrible that we even need to ask this question and fact-check not only articles but even the contents of huge news portals. In this world of post-truth, it is our duty as educators to remember the core of our work: providing a scientific method for understanding the world surrounding us.

And this is what we must do: we must keep educating the society and offer insights not altered by political or commercial interests.

So, in a world of post-truth, what are the 10 commandments for every person and institution that provides educational services?

1. You shall present data, real data and only unaltered data

No matter in which field your institution is focusing on, you must work only with data that is gathered using scientific methods.

2. You shall not add 1+1 and get 3

No insights provided by your staff and students can serve other purpose than to provide the facts. No findings can be presented in a way that puts positive light on a topic just to benefit commercial or political agenda.

3. You shall not forget to combat the popular opinion

If it’s common knowledge, it doesn’t mean it’s true. Make sure you are an active part of fact-checking discourse.

4. You shall not stop teaching critical thinking

Our society is nothing without the ability to question statements and make informed decisions. Build a community where discussion is welcomed, encouraged and appreciated.

5. You shall not stop improving

Propaganda and alternative facts are constantly evolving in order to address and engage more people. Make sure you are up-to-date every day and fight it with the newest methods available.

6. You shall not be elitist

Make your findings easy to understand, communicate in various forms, be open to public. Your role is to help the society to improve, not to show how smart you are.

7. You shall visualize

Nobody wants to read your 58-page articles about hard to understand concepts presented with a specific vocabulary. Make sure to summarize clearly and visualize your data.

8. You shall work on your curse of knowledge

It is quite possible that your audience doesn’t have a clear idea what are you talking most of the time. What is very clear for a physics doctor is not quote so evident to a person with a career in business. Make sure you constantly check your manner of speaking.

9. You shall engage with the media.

People still believe what they see on TV. Therefore, make sure your experts are seen on it too. Also, people are very likely to engage on social media, so make sure you are visible there as well.

10. You shall not avoid a hard fight

Last but not least,  even if it’s hard to keep fighting with lies, you cannot and should not stop. It’s the only right thing to do.

Would you add something to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments!