The community is invited to join us once again on Thursday, September 18th, 2025 for Countering Truth Decay: A Community Conversation.
This is the third annual free event taking place from 5:30-8:00pm, at 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica.
“Misinformation pulls our foundational rug of accurate information out from under us,” said Dr. Karen Gunn, HRC Board Co-Chair. “Disinformation intentionally crafts that rug with deception, lies and distractions. Healthy, reality-based paths to courageous dialogue and engagement require finding the truth where there’s decay.”
This timely event offers a platform for residents to engage in meaningful dialogue on the impact of misinformation in everyday life and the steps we can take, as a community, to counter its effects. With the increasing spread of false information threatening civic life and local cohesion, the event will foster understanding and develop solutions at a grassroots level.
Carlo Cabanilla, featured speaker and Co-Founder of Bahala, shared that: “Trust is at an all time low, but people really just want to feel connected to their community. At this event, we will walk through the current information landscape and learn some tools for how to resist the effects of misinformation and stay connected to ourselves and others in our day to day lives.”
Participants will engage in breakout sessions where they will discuss how community trust impacts our ability to sort fact from fiction, and what actions they can take to combat misinformation at home.
Julie Rusk, Board Co-Chair, highlighted the event’s community-focused approach:
“When we bring neighbors together around this issue of Truth Decay, we have found an openness and curiosity that creates a different type of conversation. By tackling this larger phenomenon, we end up bridging different perspectives and building greater understanding.”
Community members, local officials, and the media are encouraged to attend. To RSVP, please visit counteringtruthdecay.eventbrite.com.
Spanish interpretation will be available. For more information, please contact Catalina Langen at catalina@civicwellbeing.org.
In past years, HRC has hosted this forum at Santa Monica College on the subject of Countering Truth Decay. View video recordings from 2023 and 2024 below.
Press Release- Countering Truth Decay Event 10/30
Local Press Coverage: https://smdp.com/2023/11/01/panel-talks-countering-truth-decay/
On October 30th, 2023 the Human Relations Council (HRC) Santa Monica Bay Area hosted “Countering Truth Decay, A Community Conversation” at Santa Monica College. Panelists Ray Block Jr., Anna Scott, Norbert Schwarz, and Julia Storm led a discussion around how our communities can move forward together in a time of institutional mistrust and uncertainty. Attendees shared, the event provided insights into the complexity of truth, the impact of disinformation, and the importance of education and community engagement. Check out the video below to watch the full discussion.
Attendees included representatives from the city of Santa Monica, partner organizations, Santa Monica College and community members.
El 30 de octubre de 2023, el Consejo de Relaciones Humanas (HRC) del Área de la Bahía de Santa Mónica organizó “Contrarrestar la decadencia de la verdad, una conversación comunitaria” en Santa Monica College. Los panelistas Ray Block Jr., Anna Scott, Norbert Schwarz, and Julia Storm dirigieron una discusión sobre cómo nuestras comunidades pueden avanzar juntas en un momento de desconfianza e incertidumbre institucional. Los asistentes compartieron que el evento proporcionó información sobre la complejidad de la verdad, el impacto de la desinformación y la importancia de la educación y el compromiso comunitario. Echa un vistazo al siguiente vídeo para ver la discusión completa.
Entre los asistentes se encontraban representantes de la ciudad de Santa Mónica, organizaciones asociadas, Santa Monica College y miembros de la comunidad.