The Hub of Hyperbole and Lies
Social Media: The Medium of Disinformation
Spreading Falsehoods Fast
Social media was supposed to be the great connector bringing us together, sharing cat videos, and helping Aunts find long-lost recipes. But somewhere along the way, things went off the rails. Instead of uniting us in a utopia of selfies and memes, social media has become a full-blown medium for disinformation.
What fuels the wildfire of disinformation? It’s all about those sweet, sweet social media rewards. Platforms hand out gold stars for sharing anything that grabs attention, whether true or not. Once people get hooked on those likes and shares, they start mindlessly hitting that “share” button like a reflex, without a second thought about whether the news is accurate — or even aligns with their beliefs. But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom! Researchers found that if they use the right bait, users can be nudged to share true stuff. The real fix? Redesigning these online spaces to reward truth instead of just clicks. But what is truth nowadays? Who will identify the truth?
The algorithms are like digital scamps, feeding us more of what we react to — especially if it’s juicy, scandalous, or downright outrageous.
