Lefty visiting Trump supporters

https://medium.com/@blakeleynixon/im-a-lefty-and-i-joined-a-trump-supporters-facebook-group-here-s-what-i-learned-47d7a98884d

I believe the above article captures one of the many threats to democracy lurking in modern day technology - social media echo chambers. Nowadays people with strong political biases can isolate themselves amongst like-minded people online, and read only news, facts, and opinions that support their biases.

The author of this article has recognized that he has fallen into this trap. His news-feed is entirely composed of left-wing thoughts and ideas, with a few exceptions. At least he recognizes this, and in an effort to break out of his bubble, he joins the “Trump Supporters Unite” Facebook group.

While the article is humorous in nature, it reveals how social media can be used to undermine democracy.  The Facebook group members shared hundreds of fake news articles such as “Major Forensic Investigators on 2 Continents just Confirmed, Obama’s Gift Certificate is Fake” and “CNN Host Fareed Zakaria Calls for Jihad Rape of White Women.” If you read these news stories, believe them to be true, and are surrounded by people who also believe them to be true, you will not be able to effectively analyze political candidates and make informed decisions.

The flow of accurate, unbiased information is key to democracy. It’s why democracies protect the free press, and dictatorships censor them. While we must not censor “fake news” it is imperative that we find a way to reach certain Trump voters with real information.

The best ways we can do this is increase funding to education, demand our politicians denounce false information (regardless of their political party), and increase communication across party lines.

Talk to someone with differing political views. Ask them why they believe what they believe. Question it. Hear them out. And when they ask the same questions, calmly explain your viewpoints and be open to questioning your own assumptions.

To find out more about how to fix the proliferation of fake information and political echo chambers, read “Reclaim American Democracy.”