Bragazzi Nicola Luigi, Garbarino Sergio
Division of Human Nutrition Unit, Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
JMIR Infodemiology. 2024 Dec 27;4:e65521. doi: 10.2196/65521.
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 irrational, 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.
尽管它对社会有有害影响，但它依然存在并不断演变，在数字时代信息丰富的环境中蓬勃发展。这一悖论挑战了传统观念，即有害事物应随时间推移而减少。尽管事实核查和验证工具有所进步，但错误信息仍持续存在，这表明它具有适应性特质，使其能够生存和传播。本文探讨了作为真假混合体的错误信息如何继续引起受众共鸣。叙事在人类历史中的作用，尤其是在叙事者人类的进化过程中的作用，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，常常通过数字平台迅速传播。当前的行为研究往往将错误信息视为完全非理性、静态、有限的实体，可以被彻底揭穿，而忽视了它们动态演变的本质。这种方法限制了我们对随着时间推移推动错误信息转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，包括它在促进社会凝聚力方面的作用、其被感知到的短期利益以及在战略欺骗中的使用。外推、内插、变形、断章取义以及编造等技巧促成了错误信息的产生和传播。理解这些过程及其带来的进化优势对于制定有效的错误信息应对策略至关重要。通过促进透明度、批判性思维和准确信息，社会可以开始解决错误信息的根源问题，并创造一个更具韧性的信息环境。
