Thirteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

In a previous article I compared the differences between print-based and web-based thinking (Rusciano and Xia, 2013). Print-based text has a linear organization,. finite discourse, author-directed argument, contextual writing, and indexical argumentation. Hypertext, by contrast, has a non-linear organization, open-ended discourse, reader-directed argument, non- or multi-contextual writing, and associative argumentation. The present paper argues that the proliferation of hypertext usage international has contributed to the creation of a “post-truth” global communication environment. This environment is defined as time in which the public has anxiety about truth claims, authorities, and identifying legitimate public truth-tellers (Green, 1995; Besserman, 1998).The extensive use of hypertext, particularly in communicating and discussing political and social issues, has affected citizens’ ability to distinguish legitimate truth-tellers from those who mislead, either intentionally or unintentionally, by removing the responsibility attached to author-directed argument. This paper argues that these issues connect to the rise of populism, xenophobia, and a dangerous form of nationalism worldwide, in part due to hypertext’s ability to undermine traditionally authoritative sources of information. It illustrates this problem with some examples from recent international political events, including Brexit, the 2016 US election, and others, and a general outpouring of “global rage” from various countries (Rusciano, 2006, 2018a, 2018b). It concludes by discussing whether there is an alternative means of directing this global model of communication towards supporting more stable liberal democratic political systems.