Digital half-truths: Language’s social media trap

Synopsis : Social media, which thrives on brevity and sensationalism, often fosters a culture of derogatory expressions, incomplete narratives, and what many perceive as the degeneration of language. Social media’s anonymity and algorithmic amplification reward outrage over reason.

In the epic Mahabharata, a pivotal moment unfolds during the Kurukshetra war when Yudhishthira, the paragon of truth, utters the words “ Ashvatthama hatah ” – Ashvatthama is slain – but appends in a whisper, “ naro va kunjarah ,” meaning whether man or elephant. The full statement reveals that it was an elephant named Ashvatthama that met its end, not Drona’s son.

Yet, the partial revelation, amplified by the din of battle, shatters Drona, leading to his demise. This ancient tale of manipulated truth serv