#1195 Bias
I'm on the fence here. Confirmation bias is more prevalent today than ever. The various ways we consume our news know how to feed us more of what we want. Data is the world's new currency, and yours and mine are used against (for?) us.
If one lingers on a particular image or reads some content on social media, those seconds are captured and go into the databank that holds our worth to the various merchants and influencers who pay for it and learn what to deal us next. For example, if I buy a John Sanford novel, Amazon will alert me when a new Sanford novel is available. That's a simple example and one I welcome.
At the same time, data merchants are gathering and selling my proclivities, and I am seeing content geared to my particular tastes, seemingly organically.
I like being fed a lot about happiness, mindfulness, listening, and behavioral psychology. But flying under the radar are posts and notifications that influence my thinking for someone else's gain. These are more subliminal, things I'd likely gloss over but see and register.
That's the machine, and there isn't anything I can do, but my greater concern is choosing confirmation-biased information and believing it to be fact.
This happens when we get news from a source that leans heavily to one side or another on the many contentious social issues we face today. We must understand that some of the "news" we get is steeped in opinion and subtlety (sometimes not so subtle), trying to sway us.
I'm on the fence because I get fed a lot of positive psychology, and the data shows I will open and read it.
So here we are once again with the double-edged sword of technology.
I love my phone and the instant connectedness to my family, to get alerted to emergencies, or to facilitate making plans. BUT digital devices are not a proxy for social connection. Literally ALL of the science says we are happier and live longer when we pay attention to human-to-human social connections. Introverts will argue that they are wired differently and happier to be left alone, but numerous studies refute that. I'm not saying that if you are an introvert, you'll be happier with the lampshade on your head dancing on the table at a party
. Still, it is proven that introverts who make the effort to have a quick chat with the barista or make eye contact and small talk with the dry cleaner, and make the effort to attend the party or say yes to a visit with a friend, rate higher on the happiness scale than those who go through their days wearing blinders and earplugs. I know I have diverted from the original path of noticing what content is being served and where you consciously get your news and information. Still, the overarching theme is to control the controllables. If you want unbiased news, Fox is probably not the best choice. If you want to reinforce your views and they align with Fox's ideology, be cognizant that that's what you're doing and don't delude yourself that it's straight-up informative news. And lest you think I am taking a shot at any political persuasion, the same goes for MSNBC or CNN.
Understanding that the algorithms are kind of like your grandma, don't let them know that you love oatmeal cookies, or you'll never taste a chocolate chip or almond biscotti.
Confirmation bias says we see what we believe rather than believing what we see. Today, it's trickier than ever to distinguish real information from opinion dressed as information.
I continue to suggest that we pay attention to science, do more to be seen, and spend less time on the screen.
When I scroll, I see some funny memes and cool sayings. But my greatest memories are of days spent out in the woods, lakes, and oceans with my mates, great dinners with my family, and hugging, smiling, and really laughing out loud. Sending an LOL isn't even close.
Here are two straight-up news sources without any bias, should you like to try them
https://join1440.com/
https://www.readtangle.com/