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A few people are ruining the internet for the rest of us (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 2 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I can't abide an unnecessary question hed.

When I scroll through social media, I often leave demoralized, with the sense that the entire world is on fire and people are inflamed with hatred towards one another. Yet, when I step outside into the streets of New York City to grab a coffee or meet a friend for lunch, it feels downright tranquil. The contrast between the online world and my daily reality has only gotten more jarring.

Since my own work is focused on topics such as intergroup conflict, misinformation, technology and climate change, I’m aware of the many challenges facing humanity. Yet, it seems striking that people online seem to be just as furious about the finale of The White Lotus or the latest scandal involving a YouTuber. Everything is either the best thing ever or the absolute worst, no matter how trivial. Is that really what most of us are feeling? No, as it turns out. Our latest research suggests that what we’re seeing online is a warped image created by a very small group of highly active users.

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[-] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

So if you cut out the the most divisive political accounts, you will not miss ANY actual news, but are likely to miss a huge pile of disinformation.

No, you just cut out the misinformation. If they are spreading vaccine misinformation on Facebook, fuck them. Cut them out. Never read a thing they put out again.

It's not about divisiveness. It's about critical thinking skills.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

I am not confident I or most other Americans can always tell what is misinformation. A recent bout of AI generated 'Am I the A-hole?' post on reddit recently got a bunch of people angry (Meta would say, 'highly engaged') because enough of them though the stories might be true.

When the Fukishima power plant got hit by a tidal wave, I foolishly believed an 'expert' on TV that day who said the plant was designed so that lead shielding hoods would automatically cover the rods in the event of power loss. Well THAT didn't happen. I no longer remember who the 'expert' was, so he could fool me again. Maybe he has.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

That's always been the case. Grifters grift, and they have been grifting for thousands of years.

You're never going to find it 100%, but you can at least go back and blacklist who you have seen to be lying. Reputation is more important than ever. Far too many random strangers have been believing every word from other random strangers. This is why I don't understand TikTok or other short-form video formats. Why would you take advice from some creator you've only seen once?

this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2025

110 points (96.6% liked)

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