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Phrase: The court of public opinion
The court of public opinion is the collective judgment of the general public.
In today’s digital age, social media and online platforms have become the modern-day courthouses.
This virtual court is always in session, with people expressing their views, beliefs, and judgments on social media.
Rules or standards do not bind the court of public opinion, so it is highly subjective and constantly changing.
It thrives on public perception, influenced by media coverage, social trends, and individual perspectives.
In this court, there is no traditional judge and jury; each person is a judge, jury, and executioner.
This has led to another phenomenon you may have heard of: cancel culture.
In high-profile cases, such as celebrity scandals or corporate controversies, the court of public opinion can significantly impact reputations and livelihoods.
Public figures often find themselves on trial in this court, facing swift and unforgiving verdicts delivered by The Great Unwashed.
The power of the court of public opinion lies in its ability to shape stories and influence outcomes.
Decisions made within this court can sway public policy, consumer behaviour, and even legal proceedings.
Companies invest heavily in managing their image within this court, recognizing its potential to make or break their success.
While the court of public opinion is a potent force, it is flawed.
It is susceptible to misinformation, bias, and herd mentality, leading to unjust verdicts and widespread consequences.
While many people initially underestimated Donald Trump and his bid to win the White House, he naturally understands the court of public opinion.
This is why, with his cult of personality, he was entirely correct when he famously said, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK?”
In the court of public opinion, good ol’ Trumpy can do no wrong.
Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test
This post compares in readability to The New York Times.
It is likely to be understood by a reader who has at least a 10th-grade education (age 16).
On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 48.
The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100.