Dear Editor,
It can be incredibly frustrating to watch public discussions get derailed by rumours, double standards, and conspiracy theories instead of sticking to proven facts and logic. This type of mindset is not unique to Guyana, but cultural, political, and historical factors certainly shape how it plays out in the country.
Guyanese are mostly of the view that as a country, whatever we endure is inherently unique and does not occur elsewhere in the world; conversely, they also tend to compare what Guyana should be like by using examples of other places in the world yet fail to realise that those places are only where they are because their people work together.
At times, it is ludicrous to see the double standards Guyanese often display of wanting better but failing to work together to achieve such a goal. For example, we have a littering problem; Guyanese blame the Government for it and then opt to compare how other places are – yet WE, THE PEOPLE, still litter and still throw our garbage outside the moving vehicle or boat or right where we stand or walk.
Most Guyanese do not understand what development and growth are because, to them, development is defined as free money in their bank accounts at the Government’s expense, where everything else is irrelevant. With all the development and construction happening, they see it as a Government stealing through corrupt contracts, even though they themselves cannot verify the information they “gaff” about on the street corners.
It is a sad thing, especially when you have a population that is less academically inclined to see the truth behind the twisted narratives they are being fed.
Decades of race-based politics and fierce rivalry between major parties create an “us versus them” mentality. Guyanese are quicker to believe in a conspiracy that hurts the opposing side than a fact that helps them. A long history of political tension, lack of transparency, and institutional corruption makes the public naturally sceptical of official narratives. When people do not trust the Government or institutions, conspiracy theories easily fill the gap.
Guyanese culture heavily values oral storytelling and informal communication. Rumours and sensational stories (often shared via social media) spread much faster than dry, factual news reports.
Platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp allow unverified claims to go viral instantly. Users often lock themselves into echo chambers where confirmation bias leads them to accept narrative over logic. Guyanese frequently excuse bad behaviour or logical gaps when it comes from their own political party, ethnic group, or social circle while fiercely condemning the exact same behaviour from the opposing side.
How can we change this? Is the question we all should consider because it could create a precedent whereby, for generations to come, the population gives relevance to conspiracies over facts? Inevitably, we will be a developing country with a backward mentality.
Institutions and leaders must provide open, verifiable data to earn public trust and leave less room for speculation. Citizens should pause to verify information from multiple reliable sources before passing it on to help break the chain of rumours.
Teaching people how to identify biased sources, fake news, and logical fallacies is crucial for long-term change. Evaluating situations based on fairness, evidence, and national progress – rather than political or ethnic alignment – helps eliminate double standards.