Conspiracy Beliefs (6)
Echos and Bubbles
In-peer groups and echo chambers
Followers of conspiracy myths tend to gain their most valued information from in-peer groups. As we all understand, this must necessarily lead to (biased) information bubbles and opinion-sustaining echo chambers. Furthermore, such bubble chambers make it easy to express even strange and violent opinions and directly or indirectly encourage people to engage in violent actions (without remorse). Of course, there is no necessity for fact checking outside their echo chambers since the group opinion is correct. People in such (socially binding) in-peer groups and echo chambers tend to polarize their opinion even further. And this makes the increasingly prone for Fake News due their confirmation and conformity bias (a really vicious circle).
But wait, why should I be concerned in the first place? Is my in-peer group not more important then whatever is called truth? Well, if you ask me, I will stick to my peers. I don’t care if I’m accused being a digital tribalist. It’s like in olden times: no truth saves you from wild animals or violent onslaught from other groups - only your group offers you protection and strength, so stick with it.
Echo-chambers are super-spreaders of biased information – and unless you wear a warning app – you will be a victim of their (deadly) virus.
Filter bubbles
Search engines may provide you with personalized information. Based on your past internet surfing (cookies et. al) they ‘know’ what interests you the most and will provide you with information you expect to receive from your search. Of course, this will solidify your current world view (confirmation bias) - and since your clicks generate revenue … hey, who wants to change all this? Now, to be accurate, search engines may not do this (anymore), because they show different results as well that the ardent reader could select to read - but may not do so because it would lead to cognitive dissonance (which is much feared).