When we encounter information online that provokes emotional responses, it’s natural to feel a surge of anxiety, anger, or confusion. According to a 2020 Pew Research study, nearly 70% of Americans feel overwhelmed by the amount of news available.
But are you getting played?
It sounds like the plot to a spy thriller, but foreign entities are successfully manipulating public opinion every day in democracies around the world. When we think of “trolls”, we imagine a disgruntled person typing away in their basement. In reality, “troll farms” are sophisticated and well-funded foreign companies that convincingly pose as legitimate organizations and deliver content that gets us to react.
I’m too smart to fall for those tactics… aren’t I?
Honestly, this strategic combination of psychological, social, and technological tricks can confuse even the most informed and intelligent people. Consider these scenarios:
Do you tend to favor news and information that aligns with your beliefs? Everyone has cognitive biases. Online,. algorithmic echo chambers insulate you from views that don’t perfectly match your own. In this media isolation, even the savviest consumer is vulnerable to narratives manipulated by bad actors.
Have you ever watched media that triggered feelings of fear, anger, or anxiety? When overwhelmed or stressed by information, we tend to rely on superficial summaries that may deliberately leave us misinformed. The more intense our response, the more likely we are to skip the important step of determining the accuracy of a source.
Do you sometimes just want to turn it all off? Literal fake news is meant to leave you so appalled or stressed out that you don’t stop to get the real story. One of the most concerning tricks is the altering of videos, audios, and images to drive a specific point of view. These “deepfakes” can be a form a warfare and are very difficult to spot if you don’t know what to look for. Recent examples include video of a candidate “appear[ing] unresponsive and…wandering off”, photos of fake babies in Gaza, and political robocalls with candidates’ voices saying things they never uttered.
Why is all this fake stuff mixed into legitimate news?
Social media companies want to sell ads and aren’t always scrupulous about legitimacy or accuracy. Foreign and anti-democratic entities use these weaknesses to design content that upsets and confuses the public enough to simply give up. In fact, they’re counting on it. But you don’t want to give up, right? It’s crucial to understand these psychological tactics and recognize when our emotions are being deliberately manipulated.
Four ways to be informed and hopeful
Find the good: Restoring faith in the goodness of others is a meaningful antidote to cynicism. Seek out evidence of kindness and generosity in the world, not the worst of humanity. This is the reason we include a list of good news in every Checklist.
Monitor media consumption: Even quality media in excess leads to overwhelm and apathy. Limit exposure to distressing content and make a habit of fact-checking especially concerning media, rather than swallowing it whole or forwarding it to friends.
Practice healthy skepticism: There’s no need to give up or stop believing in anything. Learn to identify deepfakes and take the quiz to see if you are smarter than AI.
Do something: Every other week, the Americans of Conscience Checklist gives you you quick, clear actions that make our democracy stronger and our communities kinder. If you’re not already a subscriber, sign up today. Taking even one small action helps you feel part of something bigger.
Come to think of it, are you planning to vote in the upcoming election?