Catherine DeSoto

Lies of Omission: Algorithms versus Democracy Catherine DeSoto

There is a sharper, more hostile divisiveness in political discourse. The shift is documented by various polls, and the change is alarming. There are certainly contributing factors, but one factor is unique to the contemporary era: receiving the majority of our information via social media experiences. Media algorithms, and to some extent overt censorship, serve users curated content that is unlike what their neighbors receive. Lies of Omission brings together various perspectives on the causes and effects of the divided information streams. Psychology and neuroscience, combined with some historical jurisprudence, are woven together to spell out the dangers of the modern social media experience. Importantly, the human response can be understood as rooted in our psychology and neurochemistry.

In part two of the book, eight issues that provoke deep divisions among American citizens are laid out as opposing-view chapters, with a goal to expose the extent of the disinformation gap. With the rise of ephemeral smart media, and the associated displacement of the permanently printed word, it is rare to have a clear idea of what persons who do not share our opinions actually believe, or why. The decimation of communal information sources is nearly complete. What can one do? One concrete step is to turn some of your attention away from curated, impermanent news and read a book. Read this book. Read about what has a happened to us via smart information bubbles, and why it is worth our time to be informed of the issues we care about: something your phone's curated media will never do for you. Open your mind to the quaint idea that one is not informed unless they understand the opposing view.

Surprising all-new research regarding the political divide and the pandemic is included. Together with over 100 references, this book will be the definitive source documenting the change that media algorithms have created.
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