Excellent article. Cultural biases and cult-like groups who choose to not educate themselves beyond what they are told within their clique is something we will have a very hard time breaking through. For ex, I dropped FOX from my cable bundle in 2017 when I learned my ex voted for dt. My ex who lives w me is a union carpenter didn't read the flyers from his union to vote for Clinton. He doubted whatever I said. He actually voted for Biden in 2020, but still uses the "some people say" line for his argument for anything, esp why he won't get vaccinated. Also, dt was accepted bc of his WWE days by many males in my area, Ohio. They enjoy his bullying to others and get a thrill when he goes after someone as if they are living their desires to do that through him. (I consider it arrested development, low self-esteem or the lack of curiosity to seek out information instead of believing whatever you hear.) Voting against your self-interest seems to be a common thread for the present day Republicans, and they don't even realize it.
This is -- as others have said -- a great article. As a follow on, it might be good to consider that we seem to be in a time of confronting actual content of the biases that we have always lived with (racism, sexism, wealthism). The building blocks of that world-view are important to understand, but it is also important to recognize the pernicious views our habitual understanding have supported. Of course even paying attention to that is hard, and of course there will be strong resistance to even noticing. Being aware or our inherent tendencies to bias is a good start.
Great Article that explains bias and how it is being leveraged on social media. The majority of users have no idea what is behind the curtain. How much of their data is being collected and how it is used to curate what shows up/push an agenda.
"Most "information" shared comes from an algorithm manipulated feed that serves to reinforce the position of the individual posting it. It just aligns with the implicit or cognitive bias of the individual sharing and was not looked at objectively. To expand upon Theodore Sturgeon's quote "90 percent of everything is crap." That 90% number is probably low if that information was posted on social media. And 90% of those reading this will not read the entire comment." This was a comment that I wrote in response to a post that before the Internet that ignorance was due to a lack of information.
Thank you for this article. Although I do tend to watch, read or listen to more progressive leaning news sources (Philly Inquirer, CNN, MSNBC, PBS News, NPR), I often wonder where to go for the opposing viewpoint. WSJ? International news sources? It's like our country is living in two different universes. I've tried to limit my consumption of social media, like Twitter and FB, because I know it is just to confirm my own thinking on a subject. Unless someone is an expert on a subject, they really shouldn't be spewing their views in the first place. For instance, the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Unless you are living there, an expert, etc. maybe trying to educate yourself on the subject, is the best use of time. We are a society of knee jerk reactions and instant gratification. Btw, my son with special needs is getting his second shot in about a week, so hopefully there will be a bit more normalcy in the days to come :)
You make me wonder what I am missing, and what I am misinformed about. I try to have multiple information sources--and I am picky about where I get my information. But I am more likely to read and listen to things that confirm my progressive views.
America's political climate is in trouble. Starts at the top, and filters down. Everyone needs to do their homework and seek other avenues in getting information about a subject.
Thank you, Clint. This is a very useful analysis. I remain amazed that Americans willingly allow themselves to be subjected to the algorithms and bad-faith actors of social media. It's easy to begin to stop the spread of disinformation by closing SM accounts, but people refuse to take even this simple step to save democracy and their freedoms. I look forward to your next article.
Excellent article. Cultural biases and cult-like groups who choose to not educate themselves beyond what they are told within their clique is something we will have a very hard time breaking through. For ex, I dropped FOX from my cable bundle in 2017 when I learned my ex voted for dt. My ex who lives w me is a union carpenter didn't read the flyers from his union to vote for Clinton. He doubted whatever I said. He actually voted for Biden in 2020, but still uses the "some people say" line for his argument for anything, esp why he won't get vaccinated. Also, dt was accepted bc of his WWE days by many males in my area, Ohio. They enjoy his bullying to others and get a thrill when he goes after someone as if they are living their desires to do that through him. (I consider it arrested development, low self-esteem or the lack of curiosity to seek out information instead of believing whatever you hear.) Voting against your self-interest seems to be a common thread for the present day Republicans, and they don't even realize it.
This is -- as others have said -- a great article. As a follow on, it might be good to consider that we seem to be in a time of confronting actual content of the biases that we have always lived with (racism, sexism, wealthism). The building blocks of that world-view are important to understand, but it is also important to recognize the pernicious views our habitual understanding have supported. Of course even paying attention to that is hard, and of course there will be strong resistance to even noticing. Being aware or our inherent tendencies to bias is a good start.
Great Article that explains bias and how it is being leveraged on social media. The majority of users have no idea what is behind the curtain. How much of their data is being collected and how it is used to curate what shows up/push an agenda.
"Most "information" shared comes from an algorithm manipulated feed that serves to reinforce the position of the individual posting it. It just aligns with the implicit or cognitive bias of the individual sharing and was not looked at objectively. To expand upon Theodore Sturgeon's quote "90 percent of everything is crap." That 90% number is probably low if that information was posted on social media. And 90% of those reading this will not read the entire comment." This was a comment that I wrote in response to a post that before the Internet that ignorance was due to a lack of information.
Thank you for this article. Although I do tend to watch, read or listen to more progressive leaning news sources (Philly Inquirer, CNN, MSNBC, PBS News, NPR), I often wonder where to go for the opposing viewpoint. WSJ? International news sources? It's like our country is living in two different universes. I've tried to limit my consumption of social media, like Twitter and FB, because I know it is just to confirm my own thinking on a subject. Unless someone is an expert on a subject, they really shouldn't be spewing their views in the first place. For instance, the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Unless you are living there, an expert, etc. maybe trying to educate yourself on the subject, is the best use of time. We are a society of knee jerk reactions and instant gratification. Btw, my son with special needs is getting his second shot in about a week, so hopefully there will be a bit more normalcy in the days to come :)
Peer pressure and conspiracy theories are vicious circular mechanisms that feed on themselves more and more until they become all encompassing.
You make me wonder what I am missing, and what I am misinformed about. I try to have multiple information sources--and I am picky about where I get my information. But I am more likely to read and listen to things that confirm my progressive views.
Thank you, Clint, for another well-written piece with insight and sound information.
America's political climate is in trouble. Starts at the top, and filters down. Everyone needs to do their homework and seek other avenues in getting information about a subject.
Thank you, Clint. This is a very useful analysis. I remain amazed that Americans willingly allow themselves to be subjected to the algorithms and bad-faith actors of social media. It's easy to begin to stop the spread of disinformation by closing SM accounts, but people refuse to take even this simple step to save democracy and their freedoms. I look forward to your next article.