The strange, shifting reality of truth in the age of social media
There’s an unsettling paradox happening right now in our world.
People over 40 seem to believe almost everything they see online.
People under 40 seem to believe almost nothing at all.
And somewhere in the middle, the truth is getting lost.
It’s not about intelligence. It’s not even about values.
It’s about perception—how each generation has been shaped by the digital age.
Boomers & Gen X: The Era of Trust Still Echoes
For those who grew up in the pre-internet world, information was slower, filtered, and verified. You got your news from trusted broadcasters. Brands had reputations to protect. And if someone made a public statement, it carried weight.
So when social media came along, many over 40 brought that same trust into the digital space. If someone looked polished, sounded confident, or had a large following, they assumed it was legitimate. To them, online credibility mirrors real-world credibility.
But the internet isn’t a newspaper—it’s a stage.
And not everyone on that stage is telling the truth.
Millennials & Gen Z: Burned by Illusion
Now look at those under 40. These are the generations raised on:
- Clickbait headlines
- Instagram filters
- YouTubers faking pranks
- Influencers selling lies for likes
They watched people rise to fame not through honesty, but through controversy, spectacle, or algorithmic manipulation. They’ve been scammed, ghosted, catfished, and overexposed. Their whole digital upbringing taught them one thing:
Assume everything is a lie until proven otherwise.
They question everything. Even things that are real.
Because when deception becomes entertainment, trust becomes a liability.
The Rise of Influencer Culture: Views Over Value
Modern influencer culture has shifted focus away from real impact toward optics.
We now live in an age where perception is the product. Truth isn’t verified—it’s edited, branded, and packaged for engagement.
Very few influencers are driven by truth or purpose anymore.
They’re driven by what performs well. And in many cases, that means:
- Manufactured vulnerability
- Scripted “authentic” moments
- Controversy baiting
- Rapid-fire, recycled content without depth
The goal is no longer growth of character—it’s growth of followers.
And when you chase numbers instead of meaning, the truth will always take a backseat.
Real Success Requires Real People
Despite what social media portrays, no one becomes successful completely on their own.
Every person who achieves something meaningful had someone:
- Believe in them
- Share their work
- Offer financial backing
- Make an introduction
- Provide a platform
- Speak their name in a room they weren’t in
You don’t just “go viral.” Someone shares you. Someone vouches for you. Someone pushes your name forward.
And yet, in the age of self-branding and performative independence, we forget just how critical other people are to the journey.
Support is the soil in which success grows.
The Power of a Share in a World Full of Skepticism
Sharing someone’s book, business, idea, or story might seem small—but it can create ripple effects that change everything.
In today’s online landscape, where algorithms determine reach and engagement dictates influence, every post, like, and comment counts.
You never know who might see it.
You never know what door might open.
And you never know how much your simple act of support could mean to someone fighting to be seen in a sea of manufactured personas.
Final Thought
We’re at a cultural crossroads.
Older generations trust too much.
Younger generations trust too little.
And all of us are struggling to tell the difference between what’s real and what’s just for show.
But here’s one truth that still stands:
Success doesn’t happen in isolation.
It happens in community, in connection, in belief.
Be that connection for someone.
Be the one who sees through the noise and shares something real.
Because in a world of filters, authentic support is the rarest—and most powerful—thing of all.
Troy P Zehnder 