9 ms·

A society becomes post-fact when information spreads irrespective of how factual it is. This can happen for a number of reasons, but the current primary reason

by avivo 10y ago

A society becomes post-fact when information spreads irrespective of how factual it is. This can happen for a number of reasons, but the current primary reason is that social media is biased against facts. Content that is controversial, emotional, and timely spreads faster. Factualness in that environment is just irrelevant and expensive. It boils down to distribution and incentives. If the incentives don't change, things will only get worse. And as lies are repeated and internalized they will be used to inform policy. This has catastrophic consequences — if you are driving a car, and ignore the "facts" out the window, you crash.

avivo 10y ago
Some citations for if you're interested, skeptical, or want to doing something about this. Concrete evidence that facts & social media don't currently mix: https://firstdraftnews.com/recent-research-reveals-false-rumours-really-do-travel-faster-and-further-than-the-truth/ https://firstdraftnews.com/recent-research-reveals-false-rum... A chilling overview full of citations about how this affects dangerous conspiracy theories (written by a bay area founder & VC who also helped win a legislative battle against anti-vaxxers) http://www.fastcoexist.com/3059742/social-network-algorithms-are-distorting-reality-by-boosting-conspiracy-theories http://www.fastcoexist.com/3059742/social-network-algorithms... Another overview by the Editor in Chief of the Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/12/how-technology-disrupted-the-truth https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/12/how-technology... Feel free to contact me (email on my profile page) if you want to learn more about bias mitigation strategies (something I'm actively exploring).
outlace 10y ago
This is it. People don't stop to analyze the veracity of some internet meme before sharing, they will immediately share if it evokes some positive emotional state, or if it supports their pre-existing beliefs (confirmation bias). Thus much bullshit is spread and accepted at face value.
vorotato 10y ago
You're wrong and this reply is why.

by avivo 10y ago

avivo 10y ago

Some citations for if you're interested, skeptical, or want to doing something about this. Concrete evidence that facts & social media don't currently mix: https://firstdraftnews.com/recent-research-reveals-false-rumours-really-do-travel-faster-and-further-than-the-truth/ https://firstdraftnews.com/recent-research-reveals-false-rum... A chilling overview full of citations about how this affects dangerous conspiracy theories (written by a bay area founder & VC who also helped win a legislative battle against anti-vaxxers) http://www.fastcoexist.com/3059742/social-network-algorithms-are-distorting-reality-by-boosting-conspiracy-theories http://www.fastcoexist.com/3059742/social-network-algorithms... Another overview by the Editor in Chief of the Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/12/how-technology-disrupted-the-truth https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/12/how-technology... Feel free to contact me (email on my profile page) if you want to learn more about bias mitigation strategies (something I'm actively exploring).

outlace 10y ago

This is it. People don't stop to analyze the veracity of some internet meme before sharing, they will immediately share if it evokes some positive emotional state, or if it supports their pre-existing beliefs (confirmation bias). Thus much bullshit is spread and accepted at face value.

vorotato 10y ago

You're wrong and this reply is why.