Definition of Vox Populi

The term common knowledge is a expression which comes from Latin, whose meaning is "the voice of the people." It can be used metaphorically to refer to the ideas that a society has in common, that is, what everyone knows or accepts, the latest trend.

These collective ideas are not necessarily accurate, but when shared by most of a community, they come to be taken as true. Do you remember that rumor that said that in 2012 the world was going to end? Some specialists affirmed at that time that the Mayan calendar ended on December of that year, therefore that meant the end of time, sowing doubt in great part of the population.

During the previous months, it was a recurring topic of conversation in the media of communication and many people were afraid that something would happen on that day, but finally nothing happened and life continues the same as before. Today it is known that that date had no apocalyptic meaning for that civilization.

Although less common, it is also possible to find the vox populi statement, vox Deli

The latter means ‘the voice of God’ and refers to how powerful popular beliefs can be in the collective ideology or the weight of the voice of the people.

In 2006, the demands of the inhabitants of Mexico City and the association civil Greenpeace, they managed to government will roll back the authorization to produce corntransgenic in that country and that matters relating to this practice be regulated. This is an example of how when the masses unite for the same cause and raise their voices, great changes can be carried out for the better, but sometimes also for the worse.

Vox Populi in the digital age

Social media and technology they have made information to be reproduced rapidly today. One of the ways in which audiences express their opinions and ideas is through the so-called ‘memes’, these almost always humorous images or symbols, which are transmitted virtually, in a way of criticism about a situation.

Imagine the case of a deputy who is arrested for driving while intoxicated and the news is published in various media. Due to the magnitude of the situation, people begin to spread images and videos of him on the net, reiterating -as a mockery- what happened, so that in a short time, it will become the domain public. This phenomenon is a clear example of how social networks contribute to the vox populi.

Photos: iStock - VLIET / Alejandro Rivera