This Glitch In Abnormality Is Far From New

People have always been gullible

People lacking self-assurance tend to quickly believe what they see on social media. This glitch in abnormality is far from new. People have always been gullible and will usually believe what’s placed in front of them without much fact checking, no matter how absurdly ludicrous it might be.

On Sunday night, October 30, 1938, CBS radio network broadcasted Mercury Theatre on the Air. In this episode Orson Welles's narrated "War of the Worlds,” a dramatization of H.G. Wells' 1898 science fiction novel.

The broadcast, which presented the Martian invasion of New Jersey, as a series of news bulletins, simulating a real-time alien invasion caused widespread panic among listeners who mistook the dramatic presentation for real news. The "War of the Worlds" caused widespread panic.

The broadcast did include an introduction that established the context as a play, but many listeners tuned in late, missing this crucial information. The broadcast also occurred during a period of intensifying international tension. The threat of World War II was looming, which made the scenario of a Martian invasion seem more plausible.

Other news outlets also reported on the panic, which further amplified the perception of a widespread crisis. Even though this event became a cultural myth, as listeners hysterically panicked, called police, believing that the invasion was real. To some, this event also characterized radio as becoming an irresponsible medium, much like social media is today.

It’s nothing new that we are naive and without questioning will believe what is flashing on social media. We, because we are lazy, have vastly become easily persuaded to believe the untruth.

Now 87 years later, people are still even more susceptible to believing what they see on social media. Information is now so accessible as is the ease with which information can be manipulated. It is believed that humans have the tendency to trust sources, especially those within their social circles.

Social media has blurred the lines between traditional news sources and entertainment. This blurred line makes it harder for users to distinguish between credible information and sensationalized, fabricated content. It’s all about the algorithms we are plagued with.

We are in an echo chamber where algorithms prioritize content that users engage with. Individuals are primarily exposed to information that confirms their existing beliefs. This resonation is always the same, making it difficult to encounter diverse perspectives, critical information and the truth within the limited context of how it is presented.

The ease with which individuals and groups can create and share fake news or manipulate content and misinformation on social media platforms is mind boggling. They are using techniques of human psychology and incentives to capture and redirect people's attention. They are “attention hackers.”

In a world saturated with information, it matters not if it is true or false, while competing for attention. Attention hacking is seen as a way to stand out and make an impact. It involves understanding how people's attention works and then strategically using that knowledge, or lack of, to draw their focus to a particular message.

Attention hacking involves understanding principles of human behavior, such as the power of scarcity, urgency and social proof. This can include using engaging visuals, stories or information that resonates with the targeted audience.

The spread of false or misleading information is having real and negative effects on the public consumption of news. People wanting control are taking advantage of the current media ecosystem to manipulate news frames, set agendas and publicized ideas.

Most humans have a natural tendency to trust what other people, especially those they know or perceive as trustworthy. This can lead people to readily accept information shared by friends or family, even if it's not accurate or true. This personality trait is a fundamental aspect of social interaction.

The development of basic trust is a crucial stage in psychosocial development occurring in early childhood. This maturity shapes a person's outlook on the world. A person's tendency to trust others involves a willingness to be vulnerable to another person's actions, based on positive expectations of their behavior. It varies from person to person and changes throughout life based on personal experiences.

People's willingness to trust ranges from automatic trust to general distrust, with most people falling somewhere in between. Research suggests that feelings of trust activate brain regions associated with positive emotions and decision-making indicating that trust triggers social reward centers.

The release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with social bonding and trust, also plays a role in the mechanism of trust, potentially reducing a fear of being wrong in trusting someone.

The tendency to trust is linked to social decision-making, with brain function playing a role in how we evaluate and interact with others. The factors influencing trust are past experiences, both positive and negative. A person's reputation, expertise, perceived competence and personality traits are also associated with higher levels of trustworthiness. All these traits can influence a person's level of trust and how much trust is extended.

Social media is consumed passively with users scrolling through feeds for entertainment rather than actively seeking out information. This can make it easier to believe misinformation, as users may not be critically evaluating the source or content.

In today's guided world people are rapidly losing the operational armament of critical thinking skills. These dexterities are excrescently necessary to evaluate the validity of information they encounter online. Without this fortification they can be led to believe information that is not accurate or reliable.

With a lack of critical thinking skills, you are vulnerable to misinformation, social division, stagnation in personal growth and can easily be escorted to poor decision-making. This causes jumping to conclusions without thorough analysis and making decisions based on incomplete information, which can lead to regrettable choices.

Without the ability to question and evaluate information, decisions are made based on emotions rather than logic and facts. Individuals are more vulnerable to misleading headlines, conspiracy theories and believing fake news. With the lack of critical thinking, there is an increased division, political polarization and more weakening of humanity.

Misinformation often appeals to emotions, which can make it more persuasive than factual information.

People tend to seek out and believe information that confirms their existing beliefs, while dismissing information that contradicts those beliefs. This can lead to the reinforcement and the acceptance of misinformation.

Critical thinking helps us learn from mistakes, solve problems and adapt to change. A lack of these skills can lead to getting stuck in old habits and hindering personal and professional development. Without critical thinking, individuals may be unwilling to consider alternative perspectives or question assumptions.

As society obeys, conforms and crumbles, the majority look at what’s guiding the destruction, which is held in the palm of their hands, and then they click the thumbs up icon. They don’t really understand much of what’s being told to them, but they willingly support those that have told them that this is right. - dbA

You can find more of the unfiltered insight and the Art of Dan Abernathy at www.contributechaos.com.