Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 141 | Zeynep Tufekci on Information and Attention in a Networked World
Apr 5, 2021
Zeynep Tufekci, a sociologist and author, explores the impact of technology on society, especially through social media. She discusses the challenges of information overload and the dangers of filter bubbles that shape public discourse. Tufekci highlights the role of algorithms in directing our attention and the complexities of censorship in the digital age. She also critiques responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for better communication strategies and the importance of navigating misinformation in times of crisis.
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Social Media's Impact
- Social media alters how we connect, get information, and perceive time and space.
- While these changes are significant, they don't fundamentally change human nature.
New Gatekeepers
- Social media shifts gatekeeping from traditional institutions to algorithms and platforms.
- This changes common knowledge and creates epistemic fractures in society.
Attention over Information
- In the age of information overload, attention is a more valuable resource than information itself.
- Modern censorship manipulates attention by flooding the information landscape with distractions and disinformation, not by withholding information.
