Richard McKearney 🇺🇸’s Post

Check the links below if anyone wants to read the papers I wrote on search. While they are mainly on search, the behavioral aspects also apply to all modern social media companies. Professor Milutinovis and his students visited me and asked if I had any good ideas. I told them about my ideas on behavioral search. His students did the research, and he wrote it up. A note to Googlers: They should look into many ideas that have not been implemented. If you know anyone in the field, you should let them know. https://lnkd.in/gHQaZPRE https://lnkd.in/gFRFwYj9

In today's digital age, social media has become a breeding ground for misinformation and disinformation. It's increasingly challenging to distinguish fact from fiction, as narratives are often distorted or exaggerated to grab attention and generate engagement. The consequences of swallowing false information can be severe, from influencing elections to sparking violence. It's essential to develop a critical eye and fact-check information before accepting it as true. Here are some reality-checking tips: - Verify sources: Ensure the information comes from credible, trustworthy sources. - Cross-check facts: Consult multiple sources to confirm accuracy. - Be skeptical: Approach sensational or provocative content with caution. - Watch for bias: Recognize when information is presented with a particular agenda or perspective. By being mindful of these factors, we can effectively separate fact from fiction and make informed decisions. Let's take responsibility for our online interactions and promote a culture of truth and accuracy. The reality check starts with us!

The Digital Web of Deception: How Social Media Fuels Conspiracy Theories How social media algorithms, psychological factors, and misinformation are fueling the spread of conspiracies. https://lnkd.in/eTcn6iC2

Today in the “common place” post for my “Disinformation in the Digital Age” course, I want to highlight a new framework for responding to disinformation. Camille François outlines the “three key vectors characteristic of viral deception” to help “guide regulatory and industry remedies.” She argues that manipulative actors, deceptive behaviors, and harmful content work in concert to fuel the proliferation of disinformation. This “ABC” framework is a promising tool to better understand disinformation. By exploring the who (actors), what (content), and how (behaviors) within a specific “where” (social media), it helps bring together different approaches to countering disinformation. Most importantly, it emphasizes the interconnected nature of these vectors and the necessity of a balanced approach that responds not just to harmful content, but also to the deceptive behaviors and manipulative actors that create and drive it. #Disinformation

Is Distrust the New Norm for Online Information?🕵️♂️ Here's the TruTake: • Doubtful of Accuracy: Most people are skeptical about the accuracy of what they read online. • Curious for Others' Opinions: A close second, many want to know others’ thoughts before trusting new info. • Confident in Insight: Only a small fraction feel they’re getting exclusive or reliable information. 📉 Even expert sources aren’t fully trusted! Those who saw this coming share one bold view: “Expert sources are not enough.” Social media gives us access to unique insights—but it also fuels our doubts. #DistrustOnline #TruthInDoubt #SocialMedia

Social media algorithms are quietly molding our thought processes, often knowing us more intimately than we understand ourselves. Jack raises an issue that goes beyond the typical debates around free speech, touching on the erosion of our very free will. He points out how algorithms, which respond to our digital interactions, selectively curate our content feeds, introducing an inherent bias. He is sounding the alarm: Our growing dependency on these algorithms is diminishing our capacity for independent thought and decision-making. Our opinions and perspectives are increasingly shaped subconsciously by the algorithms that think they know us, rather than being the result of our own deliberate thought and creation.   In an age where algorithms predetermine our preferences, we must not lose sight of our own agency.   Questioning our own perceived beliefs and assumptions is more important now than ever.  

“Everyone is biased — and that's okay. There's no such thing as unbiased news. But hidden media bias misleads, manipulates and divides us. So everyone should learn how to spot media bias.” This site is great; allowing you to identify different perspectives and political leanings so you can get the full picture and think for yourself. https://lnkd.in/ekjUc-sP

In today's digital age, social media wields unprecedented influence over democratic processes, a double-edged sword that can act as a powerful tool for communication or misinformation. While some advocate for the blunt instrument of censorship to combat the negative effects of social media, a more effective and ethical solution lies in promoting digital literacy. Opinion by Hestutomo Restu Kuncoro. Click here to read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gzPzRZWn

Newspapers and magazines serve a purpose: filtering through the thousands of potential news stories to distill those “worthy” of mass consumption. Yes, it’s true that a lot of interesting and important news stories are filtered out by subjective editors with personal agendas. Yet it’s also true that, without such filtering, reading what anyone deems noteworthy can cause what we ascribe as the “news” to lose its value. It calls into question the role of social media in our lives. The director of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction, David Greenfield, put it well when he shared with me that he’s “questioning this idea that social media has anything to do with social contact. I think it’s actually completely the opposite. The only reason why social media exists is really to keep your eyes on screens to sell you stuff. That’s the model.” How will you connect with others meaningfully in real time in our current age of distraction? --- The above content is an excerpt from my book Screened In: The Art of Living Free in the Digital Age (bit.ly/screenedin).

Although public attention has led to corporate and public policy changes, algorithms and their creators might not be the only driving factor behind political polarization on social media. In a new study, Justin Huang, assistant professor of marketing at University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business, explores how user-driven content moderation is ubiquitous and an overlooked aspect of this issue. Huang and his collaborators, Ross School Ph.D. graduate Jangwon Choi and U-M graduate Yuqin Wan, study the popular social media site @Reddit to explore how subreddit moderator biases in content removal decisions of over a hundred independent communities help create echo chambers. With a looming presidential election and ethical questions surrounding censorship on social media, the study raises important considerations for industry leaders and policymakers. Huang shares his insights. Full Q&A: https://lnkd.in/ej4gDMS9