How to identify false narratives | Diana Thorburn | TEDxMona

In this thought-provoking TEDx talk, Dr. Diana Thorburn delves into the pervasive issue of false narratives and their impact on our understanding of history, identity, and future decision-making. Using vivid examples from Caribbean history and Jamaican public policy, the talk illustrates how incomplete or misleading stories can shape our perceptions and limit our potential for growth.

Dr. Thorburn emphasizes the importance of questioning dominant narratives and seeking evidence-based truths. Highlighting the work of the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI), they reveal how challenging widely accepted but inaccurate stories can empower societies to make better decisions and take responsibility for their futures.

The talk also addresses the human tendency to favor simple, coherent stories that align with existing beliefs, warning against the dangers of the "illusory truth effect" where repeated falsehoods become accepted as truth. Practical advice is offered on how to avoid false narratives, including being skeptical, fact-checking, embracing discomfort, and recognizing the complexities of reality.

Ultimately, Dr. Thorburn calls for a commitment to truth and factual storytelling as essential for forging a better, more informed future. As an academic, Diana’s research was focused on Caribbean and small state foreign policy and international political economy. She has completed a biography of Mayer Matalon, Jamaican industrialist and political insider (Hamilton Press, 2019).

Diana earned a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia, an M.Sc. in International Relations from the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago, and a M.A. and Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in International Relations and International Economics. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the National Family Planning Board and a member of the Adoption Board and has previously served on the boards of the Development Bank of Jamaica, Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, Area Youth Foundation, and the National Commercial Bank Foundation. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx