SoylentNews

Science of "Echo Chambers"

posted by cmn32480 on Thursday May 28 2015, @03:18AM   
from the hello-hello-hello dept.

aristarchus writes:

Oft times we see accusations of "group think" here on SoylentNews. Now there is some actual science on the formation and function of "echo chambers", as reported by SESYNC:

A new study from researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD) and the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) demonstrates that the highly contentious debate on climate change is fueled in part by how information flows throughout policy networks.
...
"Our research shows how the echo chamber can block progress toward a political resolution on climate change. Individuals who get their information from the same sources with the same perspective may be under the impression that theirs is the dominant perspective, regardless of what the science says," said Dr. Dana R. Fisher, a professor of sociology at UMD and corresponding author who led the research.

I would guess, based on this study abstract (actual paper unfortunately behind paywall), that SoylentNews is in no danger of becoming an echo chamber, but we seem to have some refugees who are still stuck in particular bubbles.

• Re:Sure (Score: 2) by Vanderhoth on Thursday May 28 2015, @11:31AM

  by Vanderhoth (61) on Thursday May 28 2015, @11:31AM (#189044)

  There are so many things both right and wrong with this.

  how so many fringe elements (and members of congress) could cling to a thoroughly discredited position despite all evidence to the contrary

  Politicians aren't scientists and I think most of us, including some of them, would agree they're idiots in general. They have to look at both sides because they don't understand the science and are required to take all arguments into account.

  What you fail to understand, coming from an echo chamber, is that there is no need to discredit "climate change denial"

  How do YOU know YOU'RE not the one in the echo chamber? I think you're correct, but it's important to keep questioning ourselves. We can't just shut out debate and mock people because we "know" we're right therefore there's no reason to consider other positions. That's how echo chambers are made.

  I prefer to work under the assumption that I'm the one in the echo chamber and can be wrong. I stay skeptical of my position and listen to others with opposing view points, never know when someone will have something relevant to say I hadn't consider before that could change everything. We really need to get away from this, "LOL, I'm right and you're wrong and stupid."

  --
  "Now we know", "And knowing is half the battle". -G.I. Joooooe

  Parent

  Starting Score:	1		point
  Karma-Bonus Modifier		+1
  Total Score:		2