The authors identify four fundamental characteristics that define Truth Decay: growing disagreement about basic facts, increasing difficulty in distinguishing between opinion and fact, the amplification of opinion over factual reporting, and diminishing faith in once-trusted information sources. This framework provides a crucial foundation for understanding how public discourse has transformed in recent years.

The rise of social media, echo chambers, and the 24-hour news cycle has fundamentally altered how information spreads and is consumed. The book demonstrates how these technological changes have accelerated Truth Decay by prioritizing engagement over accuracy and creating environments where misinformation can flourish unchecked.

A deep examination of how declining trust in traditional institutions - from media outlets to academic institutions and government agencies - creates a feedback loop that further exacerbates Truth Decay. This erosion of trust makes it increasingly difficult for society to establish shared facts and engage in productive dialogue.