Mass Delusions in the Age of Social Media
Our lecture on mass delusions and hysterias really resonated with me, especially when considering how social media might be amplifying these phenomena. I've observed how quickly misinformation can spread online, creating what seems like mass delusions in real-time. For instance, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw friends and family sharing and believing in various conspiracy theories and unproven cures. It reminded me of historical examples we studied, like the Salem witch trials, but occurring at an unprecedented speed and scale. What struck me most was how intelligent people I know fell for some of these ideas, illustrating how susceptibility to mass delusions isn't about intelligence but about psychological and social factors. This insight has made me more mindful of my own social media consumption and more critical of information I encounter online. It's also sparked interesting conversations with friends about the role of platforms in spreading or curbing misinformation. Understanding mass delusions has given me valuable tools for navigating the complex information landscape of our digital age.
Posts
I also was thoroughly entertained by friends and family on which sources of information were acceptable or reliable. It did feel like a witch hunt trying to traverse what was credible and what was not. I'm thankful to have those events become a part of history but it's a fantastic analogy to the Salem trials, I didn't think of it like that but you are absolutely right!
ReplyDelete