[simplify]

It's true that society uses consensus as a proxy for truth. Even when scientists make a new discovery, it isn't considered "truth" until they convince the community – sometimes even taking decades!

Sadly, this consensus can be manufactured by those in power. Censorship helps to a surprising degree, for example. Social media sock puppets, astroturfing, bribery, the list goes on.

How do we fight against manufactured consent? Is it even possible at this point?

[elevaet]

Yeah this is the crux of it isn't it? And it's not just the problem of manufactured consent either, there is also the problem of mistaken consent that grows organically out of human frailties like our cognitive biases and appetites for drama.

[hsndmoose]

Yes thank you. Between this and your other comment to me in this thread I think you've really gotten to the heart of it. I appreciate you putting into concise words what was rumbling around in my head when I first asked the question.

[elevaet]

It's a joy to hear that someone else has made sense out of what has been rumbling around in my own head a lot lately.