How ‘Misinformation’ Becomes Common Knowledge
People watch the CNN presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on June 27, 2024. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Fear of being punished by a crowd is not unique to Democrats, or liberals, or Americans. It is an innate human response to the dangers of being ostracized.
How did something considered misinformation on Thursday afternoon become common knowledge by Thursday night?
The social mechanism that converts supposed misinformation into consensus is a topic that I have studied for many years. It involves something ubiquitous: the twin acts of misrepresenting what we know and what we want under perceived social press…
Enjoying the story?
Enter your email to read this article and receive our daily newsletter.
Error
Already have an account?
Sign In
