Understanding and Combating Misinformation: An Evolutionary Perspective.

IF 3.5 Q1 HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES JMIR infodemiology Pub Date : 2024-10-22 DOI:10.2196/65521
Nicola Bragazzi, Sergio Garbarino
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Abstract

Unstructured: Misinformation represents an evolutionary paradox: despite its harmful impact on society, it persists and evolves, thriving in the information-rich environment of the digital age. This paradox challenges the conventional expectation that detrimental entities should diminish over time. The persistence of misinformation, despite advancements in fact-checking and verification tools, suggests that it possesses adaptive qualities that enable it to survive and propagate. This paper explores how misinformation, as a blend of truth and fiction, continues to resonate with audiences. The role of narratives in human history, particularly in the evolution of Homo narrans, underscores the enduring influence of storytelling on cultural and social cohesion. Despite the increasing ability of individuals to verify the accuracy of sources, misinformation remains a significant challenge, often spreading rapidly through digital platforms. Current behavioral research tends to treat misinformation as completely irrrational, static, finite entities that can be definitively debunked, overlooking their dynamic and evolving nature. This approach limits our understanding of the behavioral and societal factors driving the transformation of misinformation over time. The persistence of misinformation can be attributed to several factors, including its role in fostering social cohesion, its perceived short-term benefits, and its use in strategic deception. Techniques such as extrapolation, intrapolation, deformation, cherry-picking, and fabrication contribute to the production and spread of misinformation. Understanding these processes and the evolutionary advantages they confer is crucial for developing effective strategies to counter misinformation. By promoting transparency, critical thinking, and accurate information, society can begin to address the root causes of misinformation and create a more resilient information environment.

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理解和打击错误信息:进化论视角》。
非结构化:错误信息代表了一种进化悖论:尽管它对社会造成了有害影响,但它却持续存在并不断进化,在数字时代信息丰富的环境中茁壮成长。这种悖论挑战了人们的传统预期,即有害实体应随着时间的推移而减少。尽管事实检查和验证工具不断进步,但虚假信息仍持续存在,这表明它具有适应性特质,使其能够生存和传播。本文探讨了虚假信息作为真实与虚构的混合体,是如何继续与受众产生共鸣的。叙事在人类历史中的作用,尤其是在智人进化过程中的作用,凸显了讲故事对文化和社会凝聚力的持久影响。尽管个人核实信息来源准确性的能力不断提高,但错误信息仍然是一个重大挑战,往往通过数字平台迅速传播。当前的行为研究倾向于将错误信息视为完全不合理、静态、有限的实体,可以明确地予以揭穿,而忽略了其动态和不断演变的性质。这种研究方法限制了我们对推动误导信息随时间演变的行为和社会因素的理解。错误信息的持续存在可归因于几个因素,包括其在促进社会凝聚力方面的作用、其被认为的短期利益以及其在战略欺骗中的使用。外推法、内推法、变形法、偷梁换柱法和捏造法等技术有助于错误信息的产生和传播。了解这些过程及其所带来的进化优势,对于制定有效的反误导战略至关重要。通过促进透明度、批判性思维和准确信息,社会可以着手解决误导信息的根本原因,并创造一个更具弹性的信息环境。
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