This is a very pessimistic take. I’d like to add that the age of misinformation is here.
Used to be, there was only one newspaper to read. Then, more and more sources of news came (paper, TV, eventually the internet).
Then they all largely switched to a race to the bottom free model supported by advertising money alone, which boosted outrage bait over quality journalism.
Then, the full force of social media algorithms came in to play and it became nearly impossible to sort fact from fiction (even here on Lemmy, I’m afraid). Even if all the news you read is true, it will still influence you in a certain way if it’s slanted a certain way. Especially if other news doesn’t reach you. Don’t forget the power of omission.
Be cognizant that there are certain well-funded groups that benefit from sowing discord and polarization, and they’re largely succeeding. If the world as you know it (through the internet) doesn’t match that of your neighbor, it’s easy to break off or escalate, for both of you!
Don’t despair, stay cognizant of the unprecedented online manipulation and act local!
This is a very pessimistic take. I’d like to add that the age of misinformation is here.
Used to be, there was only one newspaper to read. Then, more and more sources of news came (paper, TV, eventually the internet).
Then they all largely switched to a race to the bottom free model supported by advertising money alone, which boosted outrage bait over quality journalism.
Then, the full force of social media algorithms came in to play and it became nearly impossible to sort fact from fiction (even here on Lemmy, I’m afraid). Even if all the news you read is true, it will still influence you in a certain way if it’s slanted a certain way. Especially if other news doesn’t reach you. Don’t forget the power of omission.
Be cognizant that there are certain well-funded groups that benefit from sowing discord and polarization, and they’re largely succeeding. If the world as you know it (through the internet) doesn’t match that of your neighbor, it’s easy to break off or escalate, for both of you!
Don’t despair, stay cognizant of the unprecedented online manipulation and act local!