Are we living in an age of Gaslighting?

Join us for this lively discussion, where everyone will be invited to contribute their views and make space for others to do the same. NB: this is our first time at this venue and it will be very busy, please ask for the table hosted by Angela.

The term “gaslighting” is often used to describe situations where people feel they are being encouraged to doubt what they can plainly see, hear, or experience for themselves. While the word originally described manipulative behaviour in personal relationships, many people now feel it appears increasingly in public life as well - in politics, media, advertising, institutions, workplaces, and online debates.
We often hear strong public claims about values such as freedom, fairness, safety, inclusion, transparency, or free expression — yet critics sometimes argue that actions taken in practice can appear to contradict those same ideals. Supporters may see this as necessary complexity in a difficult world, while others experience it as confusing, contradictory, or emotionally disorienting.
We’ll explore why so many people today feel uncertain about what to trust, whether modern public life encourages confusion and contradiction, and how we can think clearly in an age of competing narratives and constant information. Each person will be asked to share their views on the following questions:

• Why do so many people feel that public messages and real-world actions no longer fully align?
• Has modern media and politics made people more informed — or more psychologically manipulated?
• How can we stay thoughtful and grounded when different groups claim completely different versions of reality?

As numbers are limited and the events are often waitlisted, please be mindful of changing your rsvp as soon as possible if you are no longer able to attend.