Are we underestimating disinformation?
Have you ever been in a large room full of people and noticed that almost every single person says they are an above-average driver, an excellent decision maker, or someone who would never fall victim to a scam?
These individual beliefs are in stark contrast to the statistics. One would think that in the digital information age, where knowledge is just a click away, such misunderstandings would decrease. Surprisingly, however, we are more vulnerable than ever to falling victim to our own cognitive biases and beliefs.
Why do we feel so special?
This phenomenon of overconfidence is not new. It is deeply rooted in our psychology. Many of us are victims of the so-called “Dunning-Kruger effect”. This states that people, especially if they have limited knowledge or skills in a particular area, often greatly overestimate their abilities.
In times of fake news and disinformation, this cognitive distortion is particularly dangerous. While the digital landscape continues to change and present new challenges, many people still mistakenly believe that they are immune to disinformation. But this is exactly what makes them more vulnerable to such information.
Others are easier to deceive - or are they?
There is a deep, almost instinctive tendency to believe that other people, even though they are just like us, are more easily deceived. This belief often leads to the advocacy of drastic measures such as censorship or strict controls to protect the “gullible” masses.
However, the truth is that we are all susceptible to misinformation, regardless of our education, age, culture or life experience. Our brains are programmed to recognize patterns and make snap judgments. In some situations this helps us, in others it can lead us astray.
Why do we protect others from the dangers?
Humans have always strived to protect their communities, whether from wild animals, hostile tribes or, in the modern world, from disinformation and fraud. This deeply rooted tendency can arise from a true need for protection as well as a desire for control and superiority. However, in our complex and interconnected world, we must be careful about how we put these protective instincts into action. There is a risk that if we focus too much on protection, we may inadvertently restrict the freedom and rights of others.
How can we protect ourselves from ourselves?
Self-awareness and self-reflection are essential tools in the fight against our own cognitive distortions. When we realize that we, too, are susceptible to errors and misinformation, we can proactively protect ourselves.
This doesn’t just mean becoming aware of what we don’t know. It also means actively working to diversify and critically examine our sources of information. Education and media literacy are other important tools in our arsenal against disinformation. By constantly learning, questioning and adapting, we can better arm ourselves against the ever-changing tactics of disinformation spreaders.
Conclusion
The flood of information in the digital age offers us countless opportunities, but also poses risks. We must develop vigilance and critical thinking to protect ourselves from the dangers of disinformation. By recognizing our own vulnerabilities and working proactively to protect ourselves, we can build an informed and resilient community.
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

