Scientists show how ‘doing your own research’ leads to believing conspiracies — This effect arises because of the quality of information churned out by Google’s search engine::Researchers found that people searching misinformation online risk falling into “data voids” that increase belief in conspiracies.

  • ComradeKhoumrag@infosec.pub
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    11 months ago

    As mod of conspiracy_theories, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that’s bullshit

    If you listened to the mainstream media, the last few years you’d think the economy was booming. If you did your own research and listen to experts like Adam Taggart or Wealthion, fractures in the housing market were apparent for almost a year before the mainstream media started reporting that

    We grew up being told we fight for freedom when really we fight for a fascist apartheid ethnostate in the middle east

    We grew up being told Weed was worse than alcohol

    We grew up being told if you didn’t go to college, you couldn’t get a job, while cost of tuition and textbooks outpaced inflation

    The media doesn’t exist to inform people. Whether your left or right wing I think that’s something everyone can agree on. From a political science standpoint, the media exists to create an agenda. Often times, that includes misinforming people.

    Can doing your own research get you into some conspiracy theories? Sure. The problem with that is everyone’s conspiring, even the mainstream media

    • GeneralVincent@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      I agree (and I think the article agrees in part too) with much of what you’re saying. But the issue with your comment is this;

      If you did your own research and listen to experts like Adam Taggart or Wealthion

      You’re assuming doing your own research will lead to the correct and educated experts (Adam Taggart or Wealthion in this example). The study this article is based on really is just saying “do your own research” is leaving it up to your search engine. And everyone uses Google. Google isn’t designed to show you research, it’s designed to show you what you want to know.

    • aesthelete@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      As mod of conspiracy_theories, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that’s bullshit

      Ok, so it’s bullshit.

      Can doing your own research get you into some conspiracy theories? Sure.

      So, I guess it’s not bullshit? Alright then.

      LOL

      • ComradeKhoumrag@infosec.pub
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        11 months ago

        It’s not a contradiction if I elaborate on what’s bullshit. The framing of that article associates people who do their own research as conspiracy theorists. I was pointing out (and gave plenty of evidence) that listening to the mainstream media to form your decisions would be just as deluding as accepting any other conspiracy theory as true.

        This is not to say the article itself is necessarily wrong , but if the alternative to doing your own research is trusting the mainstream media, then either way you’re digesting a false narrative.

        Actually, if all you did was trust CNN or Fox news, I would probably think that person was less credible than a conspiracy theorist, but of course they would depend on which conspiracies

      • lilsolar@sh.itjust.works
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        11 months ago

        The OC gave solid points regarding their stance, and you “debunked” him in the most childish way possible by name-calling like a 3yr old.

        Stay loyal to the foil