We become participants in misinformation.
The speed of technological advancements and digital platforms, supported by algorithms, drives progress. Yet, the ease with which disinformation spreads creates one of the greatest paradoxes of our time.
Disinformation has always existed throughout history; yet, with the advancement of technology, this concept has taken on an unprecedented dimension. The flow of misleading information is no longer limited just to political, financial, or social goals. It acts almost like a force multiplier due to technology.
Disinformation is defined as false or misleading information created or spread strategically for a purpose (political, financial, or social). Technology here acts as a lever, amplifying its impact.
What’s critical is that ordinary people also become actors in this misinformation. Many of us, even without malicious intent, find ourselves at the very heart of it.
Algorithms and social media platforms incessantly show us with content, whether true or false, that captures our interest. The real danger here is that these contents are used not only for entertainment or information sharing. They are also used with harmful intentions.
Companies build their business models on gaining more views. This results in more revenue and turnover. They are interested in the attractiveness of the content, rather than the content itself. This leads to certain contents becoming weapons in ways that cause harm beyond predictions.
There are many examples. Influencing elections, social manipulation, climate crisis denial, digital lynching, attacks on reputation, protests…
We often witness the destructive effects of digital content. This content, instead of being trustworthy and exact, highlights fear, anger, and toxic situations. It plays on emotions or social norms.
This situation emerges as one of the causes of polarization and extremism observed in many countries worldwide. Alternatively, it brings the underlying currents to the surface and enlarges them.
Digital as a polarization tool
Digital platforms have become engines of heavy polarization. They blur the boundaries of what is ‘true’ news. These platforms are driven more by emotional responses than evidence. Illusions woven with social engineering have started to be perceived and accepted as ‘reality’.
People react more to the emotional state created by content than to the content itself (and its reality). The most shared contents are those that evoke strong emotions.
The more a sensational story touches our emotions, the more it grabs our attention. Even brief exposure to words or images can influence our judgments.
Social media throws content at us with great appetite and in a limited scope. It directs us to make quick decisions without much thought. Often, we are unaware of the emotional manipulations behind it.
Emotionally charged stories appeal to our feelings and desires. Storytelling has many positive aspects, like sharing information and culture and creating a community. Nonetheless, a powerful narrative can also be used as an effective persuasion tool.
Political advertisements touching on patriotism, group membership, or the “us vs. them” mentality can become effective tools. They capture our attention and convince us that what is being said is true. These tools work by evoking strong emotions.
Separating Fact from Fiction
In summary, there is a battle between reality and illusion ongoing in the digital world. How information flow is managed and consumed has become one of the most critical issues of our era.
The technology age has democratized access to information but has also exposed the fragile nature of truth. Navigating the digital world, we must be cautious. It’s important to stay skeptical to avoid getting lost in the whirlpool of misleading information.
We need to take determined and vigilant steps in pursuit of truth. This is necessary to find our way through the dark labyrinth of the digital age. On this journey, by preserving truths and standing against misleading information, we can contribute to a brighter future for humanity.
Because truth is not just the cornerstone of knowledge, but of humanity itself. By pursuing truth, we also preserve humanity’s greatest legacy, hope, and inspiration.