The Future of Truth: Tools to Spot Misinformation with Lindley Gooden Ep 232 - The Global Discussion

The Global Discussion

Join this thought-provoking conversation with guest Lindley Gooden and Global Discussion Host Simon Hodgkins. Lindley is a factual film director, journalist, and the Founder and Cheerleader-in-Chief of Greenscreen. His experience spans national news, content creation, and information ethics. Lindley is also the author of the timely and impactful book The Future of Truth (and How to Get There). The discussion illuminated some of the most pressing challenges of our time: misinformation, disinformation, and the crucial steps we can all take to reclaim clarity and authenticity in the digital age. Lindley transitioned into journalism, driven by a desire to explain complex ideas to the public. Over 15 years as a senior journalist for the BBC, ITN, and Sky News, Lindley gained a reputation for balanced, thoughtful reporting, tackling major stories, and uncovering the human side of overlooked issues. “It’s about listening, translating, and reflecting the balance of any story,” Lindley shared. “That’s what good journalists do, even when it’s challenging.” Greenscreen: Merging Trust and Storytelling In 2005, Lindley founded Greenscreen, a content creation agency that has become synonymous with trust and authenticity. Greenscreen has partnered with major brands like LEGO and Cancer Research UK, producing over 5,000 impactful films watched by governments, global influencers, and millions of viewers worldwide. The Future of Truth: A Toolkit for Navigating Misinformation Lindley’s latest book, The Future of Truth (and How to Get There), is a beacon of clarity in a world awash with misinformation. The book explores the psychological, social, and technological forces driving disinformation and offers actionable tools to counter its effects. Emotional Triggers and Manipulation During the podcast, Lindley dissected how emotions like fear and outrage are weaponized to spread falsehoods faster than facts. “Stories are the most effective way to spread fear,” Lindley explained. “They tap into our primal instincts, triggering a fight-or-flight response.” The Four Levels of Information One of the book’s standout frameworks is Lindley’s breakdown of the four levels of information: Primary Sources – The original facts or events. Secondary Sources – Balanced reporting that contextualizes facts. Tertiary Sources – Opinions or analyses that introduce bias. Quaternary Sources – Opinions about opinions commonly found on social media. “Most of what we see online is fourth-hand reporting, far removed from the original facts,” Lindley warned. Recognizing these layers is a vital step in cleaning up our information diets. Key Takeaways for Your Information Diet For those looking to get started on cleaning up their information intake, Lindley offers three simple steps: Pause Before Reacting – If a story triggers a strong emotional response, take a moment to reflect before sharing or acting. Audit Your Beliefs – Understand your biases and how they influence what you choose to trust. Verify Sources – Seek out primary or secondary sources, and be cautious of opinions presented as facts. Follow The Global Discussion on LinkedIn, YouTube, Spotify, and more! Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from Creatives, Leaders, and Thinkers on The Global Discussion. Join the newsletter for updates on new episodes. Watch or listen to The Global Discussion Web: https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠ Audio Podcast: ⁠Spotify⁠ | ⁠Google⁠ | ⁠Apple⁠ Video Podcast: ⁠https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://bit.ly/TGD-YouTube⁠ Follow us on LinkedIn/Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/theglobaldiscussion Others: X, Instagram, and Facebook