Distrust

Many of us have a big distrust of press, whether it’s Fox or MSNBC or the Washington Post. Are they reporting facts, are they balancing different viewpoints, or are they spinning information to support their points of view.

Many of us distrust the government at all levels, do they serve us or are they more self-serving.

Many of us distrust large companies and their “your call is very important to us, please stay on hold.”

I thought I’d ask Bard and GPT 4 about the origins of this malaise and what we might be able to do about it.

What are the causes of the distrust that many people have in the large institutions of society such as the press, government, and large companies, documenting examples of possible corruption and self-interest, lack of transparence, and the sense of powerlessness.

Google Bard

Chat GPT 4

There are many reasons why people distrust large institutions. Some of the most common reasons include: Corruption and self-interest: Many people believe that large institutions are corrupt and that their leaders are more interested in lining their own pockets than in serving the public good. There are many examples of this, including the recent scandals at Wells Fargo, Volkswagen, and the Catholic Church. Lack of transparency: Many people feel that large institutions are not transparent enough. They believe that these institutions are hiding information from the public and that they are not accountable for their actions. This lack of transparency can lead to a sense of distrust and suspicion. Sense of powerlessness: Many people feel powerless to influence the actions of large institutions. They believe that these institutions are too big and too powerful to be held accountable. This sense of powerlessness can lead to a feeling of distrust and resentment. Here are some specific examples of corruption and self-interest, lack of transparency, and the sense of powerlessness that people feel towards large institutions: Corruption and self-interest: In 2016, Wells Fargo was fined $185 million for opening millions of unauthorized accounts in its customers' names. The bank's employees were motivated by greed and a desire to meet sales goals, even if it meant breaking the law. Lack of transparency: In 2015, Volkswagen was caught cheating on emissions tests for its diesel cars. The company knew that its cars were polluting the environment, but it hid this information from regulators and the public. Sense of powerlessness: In 2018, the Catholic Church was rocked by a series of sex abuse scandals. The church had covered up the abuse for decades, and it failed to protect its victims. This scandal led to a loss of trust in the church and a sense of powerlessness among its members. These are just a few examples of the many reasons why people distrust large institutions. It is important to remember that not all large institutions are corrupt or secretive. There are many institutions that are working hard to serve the public good. However, the distrust that people feel towards large institutions is a real problem that needs to be addressed.

The distrust in large institutions such as the press, government, and large companies stems from various factors, including possible corruption and self-interest, lack of transparency, and a sense of powerlessness among the general public. Below are some examples and explanations for each factor: 1. Corruption and self-interest: In 2015, the FIFA corruption scandal exposed widespread corruption in the international soccer federation, leading to the arrest of several high-ranking officials and undermining public trust in sports organizations. The 2008 financial crisis exposed corruption and unethical practices within the banking and finance sectors, leading to a widespread loss of trust in financial institutions. The influence of lobbyists and wealthy donors in politics has led to concerns about the integrity of the democratic process and the ability of elected officials to represent the interests of their constituents. 2. Lack of transparency: The Panama Papers (2016) and Paradise Papers (2017) leaks exposed widespread tax evasion and money laundering by wealthy individuals and large corporations, eroding trust in both governments and the business sector. The Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018 revealed the misuse of personal data by a political consulting firm, leading to concerns about the transparency and ethical practices of social media platforms and tech companies. Government secrecy and classified information, often justified under the pretext of national security, can contribute to a sense of distrust among the public who may feel that they are not privy to important information. 3. Sense of powerlessness: Income inequality and the concentration of wealth among a few individuals and corporations can contribute to a sense of powerlessness among the general population. The revolving door phenomenon, where individuals move between influential positions in government and private sector organizations, can reinforce the perception that the general public has little influence over decision-making processes. The perception that elected officials are not held accountable for their actions or are able to act with impunity can further contribute to a sense of powerlessness among citizens. These are just a few examples of events and factors that have contributed to the erosion of trust in large institutions. The complexity of these issues and the interconnected nature of modern society make it challenging to rebuild trust. However, increased transparency, accountability, and efforts to address income inequality may help to restore public confidence in these institutions.

What are some actions we can take as individuals or members of society or consumers to counteract these trends, giving examples of where they have worked in the past and documenting cases where they have worked?

Google Bard

Chat GPT 4

There are many things that individuals, members of society, and consumers can do to counteract the trends of distrust in large institutions. Some of these actions include: Be informed: One of the best ways to counteract distrust is to be informed about the issues. This means reading news from a variety of sources, doing research on different topics, and talking to people who have different perspectives. The more informed you are, the less likely you are to be misled by misinformation or propaganda. Be critical: It is also important to be critical of the information you receive. Don't just believe everything you read or hear. Ask questions, do your own research, and seek out multiple sources of information. The more critical you are, the less likely you are to be taken in by lies or deception. Hold institutions accountable: When institutions do something wrong, it is important to hold them accountable. This means speaking out, writing letters, and voting with your wallet. If you don't like the way an institution is behaving, let them know. The more people who speak out, the more likely the institution is to change its ways. Get involved: Another way to counteract distrust is to get involved in your community. This means volunteering, attending meetings, and running for office. When you get involved, you can help to make your community a better place and you can build trust between the people and the institutions that serve them. There are many examples of where these actions have worked in the past. For example, the #MeToo movement helped to raise awareness of sexual harassment and assault, and it led to the downfall of many powerful men. The Black Lives Matter movement helped to raise awareness of police brutality and racial injustice, and it led to a number of reforms, including the defunding of police departments in some cities. And the Occupy Wall Street movement helped to raise awareness of income inequality and the power of the wealthy, and it led to a number of protests and demonstrations. These are just a few examples of where individual action can make a difference. When people come together and speak out, they can hold institutions accountable and build a more just and equitable society.

Individuals, members of society, and consumers can take various actions to counteract the trends of distrust in large institutions. Some of these actions include: 1.       Supporting independent journalism and media: By subscribing to and promoting independent, unbiased news sources, individuals can help ensure that reliable information is disseminated and that the public is well-informed. Example: The success of organizations like ProPublica, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization, demonstrates the positive impact of supporting independent journalism. 2. Engaging in civic activities and grassroots movements: By participating in local politics, joining community organizations, and supporting grassroots movements, individuals can foster positive change and hold institutions accountable. Example: The Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011 brought attention to issues of economic inequality and the influence of corporations on politics, leading to increased public awareness and discussion. 3. Voting with your wallet: Consumers can choose to support ethical and transparent companies by making informed purchasing decisions, thereby promoting responsible business practices. Example: The Fair Trade movement has empowered consumers to support products made under fair labor conditions, leading to better working conditions and wages for producers in developing countries. 4. Advocating for transparency and accountability: By demanding transparency from both private and public institutions and pushing for accountability measures, individuals can help to create a culture of openness and responsibility. Example: The introduction of the Freedom of Information Act in the United States has enabled citizens to access government information, promoting transparency and holding public officials accountable. 5. Promoting education and media literacy: By fostering critical thinking and media literacy skills, individuals can become better equipped to evaluate the credibility of information sources and resist disinformation campaigns. Example: Media literacy programs in schools, such as those promoted by organizations like the News Literacy Project, have proven effective in helping students develop critical thinking skills and recognize credible news sources. 6. Encouraging corporate social responsibility: By advocating for corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, consumers can push companies to prioritize ethical and sustainable practices. Example: The success of B Corporation certification demonstrates the impact of promoting responsible business practices. B Corps are for-profit companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. These examples show that individuals and consumers can have a tangible impact on the behavior of large institutions. By working together and demanding change, people can help counteract the trends that have eroded trust in these institutions and create a more just and equitable society.

I think one of the more effective actions is to shrink our area of concern into a size where we can exert influence, as in becoming more active locally (which was mentioned), supporting family, meeting and interacting with more local people from different social circles, buying from smaller local providers wherever possible, but this was not mentioned by either AI engine.

What are your thoughts?