Stratechery Defining Information
Mar 17, 2020
Discover how social media, especially Twitter, transformed information sharing during the early days of the coronavirus crisis. The podcast dives deep into the complexities of misinformation and how it erupted alongside genuine discussions. It also traces the evolution of information from print to digital, emphasizing the lowered barriers to publishing while navigating the polarized narrative landscape. Insightful frameworks are proposed to help discern credible information in this fast-paced digital age.
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Information Quality on Twitter
- Twitter's value as an information source changes over time, initially excelling as an early warning system.
- However, its quality degrades as a topic gains popularity, becoming overrun with misinformation.
Information Volume vs. Impact
- Misinformation spreads easily online due to its low production cost and potential for automation.
- Conversely, accurate information, though less frequent, holds significantly greater impact.
Mac vs. Windows Viruses
- In the 2000s, Macs had fewer viruses partly due to their smaller market share, making Windows a more attractive target for hackers.
- Hackers seeking financial gain targeted Windows, while those seeking notoriety targeted Macs.