Ruby Video
Talks
Speakers
Events
Topics
Leaderboard
Sign in
Talks
Speakers
Events
Topics
Use
Analytics
Sign in
Suggest modification to this talk
Title
Description
RubyConf 2018 - The Psychology of Fake News (And What Tech Can Do About It) by Cecy Correa Fake news spread six times faster in social media than true stories. As technologists, our industry has built the tools that enable the spread of disinformation across social, the web, and beyond. But fake news is nothing new, it has been a part of each advancement in the technology that powers the spread of information, from the printing press to blogging. What makes fake news so appealing? Is it a tech problem or a human problem? In this talk, I will explain the psychology that makes fake news appealing to our brain, and what technology can learn about this psychology to build better tools.
Date
Summary
Markdown supported
In her presentation at RubyConf 2018, Cecy Correa explores 'The Psychology of Fake News' and its implications for technology and society. She begins by referencing the infamous 1938 'War of the Worlds' broadcast, which illustrates the potency of media to manipulate public opinion and generate mass panic. This historical context leads into a discussion on modern technologies, such as facial manipulation and audio alteration, which can create misleading narratives. Correa emphasizes the rapid spread of misinformation on social media—recent studies show false information propagates six times faster than the truth—and considers the psychological mechanisms behind why people believe fake news. Key Points Discussed: - **Historical Context**: The 'War of the Worlds' event exemplifies the impact of media on public perception, with the myth of mass panic stemming from overstated reports. - **Psychological Insights**: Correa draws on concepts from 'Thinking, Fast and Slow', differentiating between fast, intuitive thinking and slower analytical reasoning. Many changes in belief stem from emotional responses rather than rational deliberation. - **Community Influence**: As false information is shared among communities, the collective belief often reinforces misinformation, making it challenging to correct falsehoods. - **Knowledge Illusion**: The common misconception of knowledge leads individuals to overestimate their understanding of complex issues, which can contribute to the spread of misinformation. - **Mitigation Strategies**: Correa proposes a three-pronged approach (education, design, engineering) to combat misinformation: - **Education**: Integrating humanities into STEM education is vital for understanding technology’s societal impact. - **Design**: Ethical design practices in advertising and user experience should reduce the spread of misleading content. - **Engineering**: Technological advancements must now be met with human oversight to address complex challenges like deepfakes. Correa concludes with a call for technologists to take responsibility in addressing misinformation. The path forward involves enhancing education, employing responsible design, and utilizing robust engineering solutions. The overall takeaway is that combating misinformation is a collaborative effort that requires critical thinking and ethical frameworks to navigate the complexities of the post-truth world.
Suggest modifications
Cancel