Long Shadow Enragement Equals Engagement
Jul 15, 2025
Join vaccine advocate Renee DiResta, author of 'Invisible Rulers,' and New York Times reporter Shira Frankel, co-author of 'An Ugly Truth,' as they dive into the alarming impact of social media on public health and misinformation. They discuss the vaccine debate escalating online and how algorithms create echo chambers that amplify division. The conversation highlights the mechanisms of Facebook's early engagement strategies and the real-world consequences of misinformation, especially concerning the Rohingya community in Myanmar. This insightful dialogue examines our digital age's challenges and responsibilities.
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Pregnancy Sparks Online Vaccine Fights
- Renee DiResta experienced heated anti-vaccine fights in parenting groups online during her pregnancy.
- The conversations were full of vitriol and misinformation about vaccines in those communities.
Algorithm Rewards Outrage
- Facebook's algorithm prioritized emotionally charged and provocative posts to maximize engagement.
- This incentivized anti-vaccine advocates to use vitriol and attacks to mobilize their supporters and dominate conversations.
Measles Outbreak Links to Vaccination Drop
- Renee found many schools with low immunization rates contributing to a measles outbreak in Disneyland.
- The outbreak spread rapidly due to declining child vaccinations, leading to hospitalizations and public health concern.
