What is it about the workings of our brain that make us likely to believe fake news? Researchers all over the world are attempting to answer that question as alarm grows about the damage to society of misinformation and disinformation.
I have been looking at these studies for a University of Otago project. There is not yet a consensus, as in other areas of brain research, but it is fair to say some of the findings are depressing.
Meet X, an ordinary citizen. He's using Twitter and has just seen a link to a news article. He doesn't know it, but the article contains false information in the form of fake news.
What does X think of fake news? According to a survey by US think tank the Pew Research Centre, it is likely that X has multiple concerns about the impact of fake news on his life and has taken steps to reduce his exposure. He may have limited his total news intake or stopped using a particular outlet or source.
Denne historien er fra July 30 - August 5, 2022-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra July 30 - August 5, 2022-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
