In a post truth economy where there are no facts, people are free to choose narratives that help them avoid any dissonance.
People have always chosen self consistent beliefs and ego preservation over factual information but the lines are getting extremely blurred.
People have always chosen self consistent beliefs and ego preservation over factual information but the lines are getting extremely blurred.
Going forward, everyone will be free to choose their own realities, echoed back to them by members of the in-group they choose to inhabit.
So much easier to do that now.
So much easier to do that now.
No amount of fact checkers, moderators or narrative controllers will be able to prevent reality from fracturing into pieces as desired by groups.
Coherent narratives across groups are a relic of the past now. We choose our own realities.
Coherent narratives across groups are a relic of the past now. We choose our own realities.
In the absence of facts, people's choice of narrative will define their in-group status.
It's damn easy to identify affiliation and your social media activity is out there for scraping and identification.
It's damn easy to identify affiliation and your social media activity is out there for scraping and identification.
Weaponization of tribal affiliations will make it easier to cause useless warring between tribes.
People who seed narratives need only a small cluster to affect everyone else and cause ripple effects.
People who seed narratives need only a small cluster to affect everyone else and cause ripple effects.
All of this comes down to the fact that it's easier to manufacture disinformation and muddy the waters than to expend energy trying to rectify the narrative.
Cost of production and distribution is so low that instead of issuing clarifications, it's much easier to put out 10x more information to blur the truth.
Filtering is also way more expensive than just putting out more information.
Filtering is also way more expensive than just putting out more information.
The lopsided dynamics of costs associated with production and filtering of information incentivises players to choose a strategy where everyone is pushing out content (no returns).
This is a Schelling point that has adverse consequences for everyone involved except the players.
This is a Schelling point that has adverse consequences for everyone involved except the players.
Our current social structures aren't meant to handle viral outcomes.
Centralised, open systems with information exchange freely possible has made cascading effects more severe.
Centralised, open systems with information exchange freely possible has made cascading effects more severe.
Blocking people on twitter or IRL via borders makes these effects less severe.
Decentralisation helps.
Why blocking helps decentralisation.
As long as you can selectively amplify certain facts, you can manipulate the narrative to fit your needs.
@aaronzlewis, this one is directly related to your post truth article.
