Ground truth refers to what is actually happening on the ground or the grass-roots. Official truth is what is generally available for public consumption and is often viewed as propaganda.
Ground truths are discussed around water coolers, in the parking lots, but rarely shows up in the boardroom (or newspapers/programs) where it is needed the most. Knowing the ground truth is crucial in interrogating reality.
Our government is so blinded by the "offical truth" they have circulated about the economy, peace and order situation and politics that they have lost touch with what really matters to the masses.
Government's official truth: Increase in sales of cellcards and beer indicates a better economy.
Ground truth: The increase of sales in cellcards reflect that more filipinos are foregoing some essentials / food just to buy cellcards.
Government's official truth: Less Filipinos are going hungry, the economy is improving.
Ground truth: Filipinos are tigthening their belts, making smaller budgets. The all-family-median home expense level needed by a family so as not to be considered poor dropped from P10,000 in the previous years to only P5,000 per month. (note that the 5,000 budget 4 years ago will not buy the same items today) Self-rated poverty threshold, or the monthly budget that households say they need in order not to be poor, has decreased from previous years. The SWS said that since the cost of living is actually rising, a declining poverty threshold means that households are lowering their living standards -- in other words, belt-tightening.
Government's official truth: The strengthening of the peso is due to the tax measures (particularly the added vat) passed by congress.
Ground truth: The change can be attributed to a variety of factors such as ofw's dollar remittance, weakening of the usd, etc. and not just one factor.
Found another "official truth" lately?
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