We imagine desirable futures (4): From rhetoric to results

February 2025

Recent discussions about the future often focus on what we fear rather than what we want. In early December, we launched a series of blog posts to explore possible avenues for positive - albeit realistic - future narratives. It is based on the belief that a broad dialogue about positive futures could inspire openness to change and optimism for transitions that lead to a better world.

The fourth thought experiment explores a possible desirable future, centred on the rediscovery of the importance of sound evidence to escape populist Pied Pipers.

Escape the Pied Pipers: Back to evidence

In recent years, European societies have been swept up by the appeal of populist rhetoric, oversimplified narratives and the cacophony of sensationalist (social) media. These forces have often acted as Pied Pipers, drawing people into emotionally charged but shallow discourses. But beneath this noisy surface, there are weak signals that point to the potential for a quieter but powerful shift. People are tired of being manipulated, misinformed or given superficial answers to complex questions. A yearning for serious information, intellectual honesty and nuanced debate is emerging.

Drivers: Longing for substance

The shift away from oversimplification, fake news and populist rhetoric is not just a reaction to societal fatigue; it is a movement towards a more engaged, informed and accountable Europe. Signs – from grassroots fact-checking initiatives to the success of subscription-based journalism – show that this yearning for evidence and honesty is more than a passing trend.

This thought experiment draws on drivers of such a shift, and highlights weak signals that suggest it may already be underway.

Craving truth amid overload (psychological drivers). At the heart of this change is a psychological shift. Information overload and a barrage of conflicting narratives have left many people feeling distrustful of what they see and hear. This fatigue fuels a desire for clarity, stability and reliability. In a world of exaggerated claims and quick fixes, there's a growing appetite for slow, deliberate truth-telling. Faint signals of this shift can be seen in the growing popularity of platforms like The Conversation (Si apre in una nuova finestra), which prioritise expert-led content, and the resurgence of long-form podcasts and investigative documentaries that offer depth rather than sound bites.