Reality is not optional: Defending education from disinformation, weaponized postmodernism, and the erosion of truth

March 4, 2025

Recent developments illustrate how easily facts can be dismissed when they become politically inconvenient. Donald Trump’s return to the presidency of the United States signals a shift from mere pressure tactics to the outright dismantling of government agencies focused on public health, equity, climate monitoring, and air traffic control oversight—among other critical areas. Offices that once gathered and analyzed objective data have been defunded or dissolved, halting research and reducing accountability in sectors that affect millions of lives.

Manifesto 25 warns ignoring our shared reality invites chaos: without reliable information, society loses the common ground for critical thinking and collaboration. These sweeping measures erode public trust and threaten the empirical basis that education depends on, allowing distortions and evasions of accountability to flourish.

Reality is not optional. Ignoring our shared reality is a collapse into chaos. Weaponized postmodernism, where facts are twisted and accountability evaded, threatens the foundation of education and society itself. Shared realities are not optional; without them, critical thinking fails, trust evaporates, and collaboration becomes impossible. Education must confront distortion head-on, rooting itself in empirical evidence while unleashing our imaginations to solve new challenges. To build a sustainable future, learners must be equipped to challenge distortions, reject evasion of accountability, and navigate complexity with intellectual courage.

The war on reality

Reality is under attack on multiple fronts as orchestrated disinformation undermines public trust and warps our collective abilities to understand or communicate. The current United States administration has hurriedly dismantled or defunded essential agencies, interfering with data collection and research across fields ranging from public health to environmental science. This calculated, deliberate misrepresentation exemplifies weaponized postmodernism, where verifiable facts are twisted, essential truths are stripped of meaning, and accountability becomes impossible. The immediate consequence is a public left uncertain about which sources to trust, but the deeper casualty is the education system itself. Without reliable information and shared reference points, schools cannot cultivate informed, critically thinking learners, leaving society vulnerable to manipulation and control.

Weaponized postmodernism is the deliberate distortion of facts and the erosion of shared reality to undermine critical thinking, dissolve accountability, and create a society more susceptible to manipulation by a power. While classical postmodernism questions absolute truths and examines the role of power in shaping knowledge, weaponized postmodernism exploits these ideas to push misinformation, discredit expertise, and blur the distinction between fact and fiction. By flooding public discourse with contradictory narratives and manufactured doubt, bad-faith actors can erode trust in institutions, making it easier to control public perception and suppress dissent.

Note. This definition is inspired by P. B. Craik and Lee McIntyre.

When authoritarian movements seek to control society, one of their first battlegrounds is the education system. Disinformation campaigns target schools because eliminating critical thinking at an early stage weakens future resistance and ensures that propaganda can spread without challenge. This is not an attack on knowledge, it is an attack on societal stability itself. Once shared truth is eroded, polarization deepens, public trust collapses, and institutions fracture under the weight of competing realities. Chaos is not an abstract consequence; it manifests as a society unable to solve problems, govern effectively, or unite around even the most basic facts. It manifests as a society that relies on authoritarianism in perpetuity.

By casting doubt on empirical evidence, these campaigns discredit teachers, rewrite historical narratives, and suppress peer-reviewed consensus within classrooms. Students are left struggling to navigate contradictory claims, while educators face mounting hostility for upholding factual knowledge. In this climate of manufactured doubt, weaponized postmodernism takes hold: the dividing lines between facts, opinions, and blatant lies blur. Education’s role in shaping informed, conscientious citizens collapses. By attacking both knowledge institutions and those who uphold them, disinformation erodes democracy and the very ability of a society to recognize reality itself.

Similar patterns emerge worldwide, where autocratic leaders exploit rapid disinformation campaigns to entrench power. By targeting and dismantling institutions responsible for gathering and disseminating factual information, these regimes eliminate scrutiny and foster echo chambers of distorted narratives. Democracies that rely on transparency and open dialogue cannot always respond quickly enough, and civic engagement unravels as a result. This breakdown in shared reality is further amplified by digital channels, undermining local governance and international cooperation on pressing issues such as climate change, global health, and economic stability. In this environment, education finds itself in a precarious position: without a factual baseline, schools cannot foster critical thinking or equip learners with the intellectual courage needed to navigate complexity. A society adrift in conspiracy and mistrust cannot effectively teach its youth, address urgent problems, coordinate global solutions, or unite around shared goals.

The complicity of Big Tech

The rise of AI-generated propaganda has escalated this crisis even further, making traditional fact-checking methods insufficient. Deepfake videos, AI-generated news articles, and automated disinformation campaigns can now fabricate events, distort historical records, and manipulate public perception with alarming speed and emulated realism. Schools must evolve faster than these threats by teaching advanced media literacy and digital verification skills as a core competency, not an optional add-on. This means training students to analyze metadata, reverse-search images, recognize AI-generated patterns in text, and use skills and tools to verify sources. Without these skills, even the most critically minded learners risk being outpaced by technology designed to deceive. The education system can no longer rely on traditional methods of media analysis. The system must equip students to navigate a world where the line between reality and fabrication is increasingly difficult to discern, and one in which fabricated reality may be used against them.

Not long ago, the internet was seen as the great equalizer: a tool for democratizing knowledge, expanding access to education, and fostering global collaboration. But what was once heralded as a revolution for truth has been weaponized into an instrument of control. The very platforms that promised to unite the world are used to accelerate its fragmentation, flooding discourse with disinformation while silencing those who challenge it.

The disinformation crisis is not an accident of political turmoil; it is engineered for profit. Social media platforms and Big Tech giants have designed systems that do not reward truth. They reward whatever keeps users engaged, whether that be conspiracy theories, extremist rhetoric, or AI-generated propaganda. The consequences of this extend far beyond individual misinformation. When falsehoods spread at algorithmic speed, reality itself fractures. Societies become locked in parallel, opposing versions of truth, making it impossible to engage in collective problem-solving. Climate change, public health crises, and even democracy itself become unsolvable problems when shared reality is replaced with AI-optimized delusions.

The crisis deepens when Big Tech leaders align themselves with authoritarian figures, shaping digital discourse to serve political agendas. As Trump and his allies consolidate power, many of Silicon Valley’s most influential figures have abandoned even the pretense of neutrality, choosing instead to cater to political strongmen in exchange for deregulation, tax breaks, and influence. Social media platforms have long demonstrated selective enforcement of policies, for example, allowing misinformation and propaganda from those in power to spread unchecked. This is a betrayal of the fundamental role technology was supposed to play in an open society. But if the internet was once a tool for knowledge and collaboration, it can be reclaimed as one again … if we take decisive action.

Schools are the frontlines of truth

Education must stand at the forefront of countering systematic distortions because it shapes the foundational skills and values young minds carry into adulthood. Schools impart facts, but they also prepare students to navigate a rapidly changing world. When educators ignore or downplay disinformation, they fail in their responsibility to cultivate informed, reflective citizens. A society that does not equip its youth to discern truth from manipulation risks losing its ability to confront future challenges with clarity and unity. A strong curriculum relies on quality information backed by verifiable, empirical evidence. Science, mathematics (especially statistics), and the humanities provide opportunities for students to practice critical thinking and distinguish credible sources from misinformation. Yet academic content alone is not enough. Students must also develop an ethical framework that helps them understand the real-world consequences of spreading falsehoods.

This is especially urgent in a world where official channels can perpetuate misleading narratives. Learning to differentiate between valid expertise and unsubstantiated claims—whether from social media influencers, corporate PR campaigns, or political leaders—is a vital civic skill. Structured debates, research projects, and collaborative problem-solving teach learners to analyze arguments, cross-check sources, and refine their perspectives based on evidence. But formal instruction is only part of the solution. Free play (open-ended, unstructured exploration) encourages curiosity, adaptability, and the confidence to question assumptions. When students engage in unscripted problem-solving, experimentation, and creative expression, they develop the cognitive flexibility necessary to challenge disinformation and think independently. Classrooms should serve as incubators for reasoned inquiry, where students are encouraged to ask difficult questions, evaluate diverse viewpoints, and adjust their thinking in response to new information. By fostering intellectual curiosity and resilience, education becomes a powerful defense against manipulation and a foundation for democratic engagement.

To build a sustainable future, learners need far more than rote knowledge of facts or theories; they need the fortitude to question authority in a constructive way and the resolve to maintain intellectual integrity in the face of distorted realities. An educational environment that values intellectual courage encourages students to weigh the merits of competing ideas rather than accepting them at face value. Through exposure to conflicting points of view and guidance on how to judge them critically, schools foster the habits of curiosity, discernment, and empathy necessary for global problem-solving. In embracing this responsibility, education not only defends reality from those who would deny it, but also empowers the next generation to uphold truth, promote accountability, and chart a course toward a more equitable and informed society.

Six ways to protect truth through a positive rebellion

Schools often face strict guidelines and limited autonomy, making it challenging to counter disinformation openly. Nonetheless, educators, parents, and students can engage in acts of positive rebellion: small but meaningful efforts to maintain shared realities and bolster critical thought, even under restrictive conditions.

Positive rebellion is the act of resisting misinformation, censorship, and ideological distortions in education through ethical, strategic, and collective action. It does not seek chaos or defiance for its own sake but instead upholds truth, critical thinking, and academic integrity against political manipulation. Positive rebellion can take many forms: quietly sharing fact-based resources, forming coalitions to protect evidence-based curricula, challenging disinformation in public forums, or creating alternative educational spaces when formal institutions fail. It is a commitment to defending reality, not through force, but through knowledge, collaboration, and unwavering intellectual courage.

Given the gravity of the threat, here are actions educators and communities can take meaningful steps within even the most restrictive environments:

Build quiet coalitions within the system to safeguard truth. In restrictive environments where disinformation is pushed into curricula, educators must develop discreet, resilient networks to sustain reality-based education. This means forming discreet, organized networks to share vetted materials, develop independent lesson plans, and provide students with access to suppressed knowledge. Teachers can use encrypted online spaces, off-campus study groups, or alternative reading lists to work around official restrictions. These coalitions ensure that facts do not disappear, even when institutions try to erase them.
Leverage student curiosity and initiative as defenders of fact-based learning. Students are not passive recipients of education. They are the most direct stakeholders in the struggle for truth. Schools should support student-led organizations that investigate misinformation, challenge curriculum distortions, and demand transparency from administrators. High school students can document censorship efforts, expose politically motivated curriculum changes, and use social media to spread fact-based resources. This movement must go beyond small discussion clubs—it should be a coordinated effort to resist educational disinformation at its source.
Build community hubs and partnerships. When formal education is compromised, external institutions must step in. Libraries, universities, nonprofits, and independent learning spaces can provide fact-based learning through workshops, public lectures, and open-access resources. As government research agencies are dismantled, universities must take on a greater role in preserving and sharing credible knowledge. Schools can discreetly connect students and families to these trusted sources, ensuring communities remain informed even when official channels fail. This exchange must flow both ways: universities can act as knowledge curators and guardians, while local schools become knowledge diffusers. Schools can integrate university research into their curricula and distribute reliable scientific findings through their activities. Likewise, universities should establish rapid-response networks to meet schools' emerging issues, ensuring students have direct access to experts rather than relying on politicized media narratives. By fostering this reciprocal relationship, universities and schools together create a decentralized, community-driven defense against disinformation.
Embed critical thinking and media literacy integration across the curriculum. Media literacy cannot be an isolated elective that can be easily cut or politicized—it must be woven into all subjects. History should analyze propaganda and revisionism. Science must emphasize the difference between peer-reviewed research and pseudoscience. Mathematics should teach statistical manipulation and data bias. When fact-checking and critical analysis become integrated across disciplines, students develop instinctive resistance to misinformation rather than seeing it as an abstract skill.
Model intellectual courage and accountability. Educators must set the standard for intellectual courage by refusing to treat falsehoods as equal to facts. This does not always mean open defiance—it can be as subtle as challenging misleading statements, reinforcing the importance of academic integrity, and using Socratic questioning to lead students toward truth. Where possible, educators should publicly document censorship attempts, advocate for policies that protect evidence-based curricula, and create safe spaces where students can critically engage with real information. Even in restrictive environments, demonstrating unwavering commitment to truth sends a powerful message: education serves reality, not political convenience.
Lead a “positive rebellion” against the politicization of education. Disinformation thrives when opposition is disorganized and silent. Educators, students, and parents must act collectively to push back against politically motivated distortions. This means confronting school boards, exposing ideological curriculum interference, and leveraging media coverage to force accountability. Resistance should escalate when necessary, e.g., through lawsuits against censorship policies, teacher strikes, student walkouts, and the creation of independent education networks that operate beyond state influence. If public education is weaponized to serve ideology, our focus must shift toward reclaiming and rebuilding it.

The fight for truth in education must be focused on defending the future. When disinformation infiltrates schools, educators and students are not simply victims of manipulation; they are the last line of defense. To remain silent in the face of political distortions is to surrender reality itself.

By practicing these forms of constructive defiance, schools can resist the spread of weaponized postmodernism from within. The goal is not to break rules or create spectacle, but to quietly uphold the principle that reality must remain the foundation of any meaningful education. Over time, these efforts can shift institutional culture toward one that honors evidence, nurtures critical thinking, and protects our collective sense of what is real—even in an era of widespread disinformation.

If schools fail, communities must step in

If the public education system continues to be undermined and trust in formal institutions erodes beyond repair, communities may have no choice but to organize education outside of the traditional system. While this may seem like conceding defeat, it is, in reality, an act of resistance. It ensures truth, critical thinking, and evidence-based learning do not disappear entirely. Community-led education initiatives, independent learning cooperatives, and non-formal, decentralized networks of educators can step in where public schools are weakened, providing students with access to reliable knowledge and intellectual growth free from political interference. Libraries, local organizations, and even digital platforms can serve as alternative learning hubs, creating parallel structures that safeguard fact-based education.

However, we must acknowledge fully replacing public education risks furthering the administration’s goal of eroding trust in shared institutions, so this approach should be a last resort rather than an immediate alternative. The priority must remain fighting for the integrity of the existing system, pressuring local governments, mobilizing educators, and advocating for policies that reinforce the role of education in democracy. But if traditional schools become wholly ineffective or compromised, communities of educators and learners must be prepared to step in and reclaim education for themselves, ensuring that future generations still have the tools to seek truth, think critically, and hold power accountable.

Reclaiming digital spaces for truth

The rebellion against disinformation is happening online, in real time. Students spend hours consuming social media, engaging with content curated by algorithms that reward sensationalism over accuracy. The internet was built on the promise of knowledge-sharing. If it has been weaponized, it must be reclaimed. And there is little time left. AI-generated propaganda is advancing at an unprecedented pace. Soon, entire news events, video footage, and historical records will be indistinguishable from truth. This means that students must learn to recognize digital deception and actively push back against it. Without this ability, we risk a future where no one can verify what is real, making truth itself irrelevant.

Educators and students must take an active role in shaping digital spaces into forums for truth rather than platforms for deception. This requires a shift in how we approach media literacy, not as a passive defense, but as an offensive strategy. Schools must move beyond teaching students to identify fake news and instead train them to confront disinformation where it spreads, disrupt harmful narratives, and become digital first responders for truth.

Educators can integrate real-world fact-checking exercises into assignments, encouraging students to investigate viral claims, analyze manipulated media, and publish their findings. Student-led fact-checking teams, modeled after investigative journalism, can train learners to use reverse image searches, AI-detection tools, and data verification techniques—arming them with the skills necessary to push back against fabricated content.

Schools should also embrace counter-disinformation campaigns as part of project-based learning. Instead of simply consuming and critiquing information, students should be empowered to produce and circulate fact-based content, whether through blogs, social media posts, or video explainers that debunk myths in real time. By leveraging their own digital fluency, students can become active participants in the fight for reality rather than passive consumers of algorithm-driven misinformation.

Perhaps most importantly, educators must create safe spaces for digital activism. Students who challenge misinformation often face backlash, harassment, and attempts to silence them. Schools should provide structured discussions on digital resilience, ethical responsibility, and the psychological toll of online disinformation battles. Just as activists are trained in civil resistance, students must be trained to navigate digital spaces with both courage and strategy.

The fight for education is a fight for democracy

Sudden shifts toward authoritarian power power are stark reminders that political forces can overturn what once seemed stable. Facts can become casualties in power struggles, and entire societies can be trapped in cycles of misinformation. Human decency and democratic principles require us to address these threats without resorting to the same manipulative tactics. Instead, we must reaffirm that shared reality underpins all meaningful progress.

Defending schools from disinformation is not enough. If education remains reactive, countering falsehoods as they appear, then the cycle of manipulation will continue. The real challenge is not centered only on fighting propaganda but ensuring that the education system itself is designed to be resistant to it in the first place. This requires rethinking how we teach truth, build resilience against misinformation, and structure learning environments that cannot be easily co-opted by political agendas.

A truly propaganda-resistant education system must do more than just teach facts; it must equip learners with the intellectual self-defense necessary to recognize manipulation before it takes hold. This means prioritizing metacognitive and epistemic education (i.e., knowing what we do not know and how we know what we know) alongside traditional subjects. It means embedding media literacy and cognitive bias training at every level of schooling, not as an afterthought, but as a core component of every discipline. It requires teacher autonomy to challenge disinformation without fear of political retaliation, robust protections for academic integrity, and educational policies that safeguard curricula from ideological interference.

Without these systemic changes, education will always be vulnerable to the next wave of disinformation. The goal should not be limited to resisting propaganda but to create generations of learners who are fundamentally immune to it.

Education has always shaped the future, but never before has it determined whether the future itself remains grounded in reality. There is no longer a question of what students should learn. The question is whether truth will continue to exist in the public sphere at all. If we allow disinformation to take root in classrooms, we surrender the ability to solve global challenges, defend human rights, and protect democratic governance.

Educators, policymakers, and civil society at large have a duty to protect and strengthen that shared reality. We must insist on verifiable truth as the cornerstone of knowledge, even when faced with organized campaigns to discredit it. Ignoring reality is not an option, because the alternative is chaos.

Read and sign Manifesto 25 at https://manifesto25.org

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Reality is not optional: Defending education from disinformation, weaponized postmodernism, and the erosion of truth

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