At first glance, communicating may seem like a simple task. However, social communication scholars explain that communicating involves complex processes of transmitting, receiving and interpreting messages. At university, we learn that communication follows a basic structure: sender, medium, channel and receiver. The sender and receiver are the parties involved in the dialogue, the medium is the language used, and the channel is the vehicle through which the message is transmitted. “Noise” is a failure that makes it difficult to interpret correctly, such as when a phone call loses signal.
Today, however, communication faces a new enemy, far beyond technical problems: the information age. We live in times of hyperconnectivity , fueled by technological advances, where communication is influenced by personal and commercial interests. The Internet, implemented commercially in the 1990s, has expanded in ways that no one could have imagined. Although it was born at a time when the Internet was already part of everyday life, I can see how it has impacted the way we communicate.
Over time, users have learned to take advantage of this new network. As a journalist, I can say that human communication has always been permeated by feelings such as ego, envy and curiosity. Although these are natural, it is essential to control them. Just like in a traffic accident, if we overdo any “emotional pedal”, we can cause irreparable damage.
But how does this relate to journalism? When analyzing news production, one quickly realizes the conflict over the “truth.” In theory, journalism seeks to portray reality, but it is important to remember that a communications company is, above all, a company. And, as such, its interests also influence the way in which facts are presented. This can lead to misinformation, since the version that “sells the most” is not always the most accurate.
On the internet, the freedom to produce content is not accompanied by a standardized methodology, which results in a flood of unqualified information. Journalists, bloggers and influencers who want to stand out need to establish a bond of trust with their audiences, creating a “contract” where the information provided is seen as reliable.
The problem arises when ideological or popular interests distort communication, resulting in accusations and blame-shifting. It is natural that, in the midst of conflicts, people seek to hold larger groups accountable in order to dilute their own faults. But this only fuels hostility in the environment.
Hostility in today’s world
We live in an increasingly hostile world, both physically and virtually. Social media, which should be spaces for respectful dialogue, have become battlefields where aggression has become almost automatic. To see this, just spend a few minutes on Instagram or X (a social network banned in Brazil at the time of writing this article) and look at the comments on a popular post.
A common example is someone expressing a simple opinion, only to be immediately attacked with aggressive responses such as: “Who asked for your opinion?” This type of interaction reflects a behavior that is increasingly common: people who do not know each other feel the need to respond offensively, even in trivial situations.
Coexistence is becoming increasingly difficult. People demand behaviors from others that they themselves cannot provide. We are moving away from a polarized world and toward an even more intolerant reality.
As long as this “interpersonal war” continues, we will all be forced to develop defense strategies against the daily attacks we suffer, whether in the virtual environment or in the real world. And the question I leave for you, reader, is: if we are already like this today, what can we expect in the future? How will the next generations deal with this growing aggression?
* Luca Moreira: Brazilian journalist specializing in interviews, known for his more than 1,600 interviews with people from more than 24 nationalities. Founder and CEO of MCOM Global and current editor-in-chief of the British website PopSize United Kingdom. For 2 years he has hosted the weekly podcast “Luca Moreira Entrevista” available on several platforms such as Spotify , Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, among others. His work has been recognized by both national media outlets and VoyageLA magazine in the United States.