Many people long for simplicity in our complex world. They offer fake news and false reports. They create clear images, identify supposedly guilty parties and divide the world into good and evil. This can give us a sense of control in uncertain times. But how do our emotions actually influence the spread and belief in fake news? Let's get to the bottom of this question.

The power of emotions

It has been shown that people are generally more willing to believe news that evokes negative emotions. Fear, anger, disgust – such emotions are powerful driving forces behind our actions. They make us sit up and take notice, they attract our attention. In a world full of information, this can make all the difference.

Our emotions are closely linked to our survival instinct. When we perceive something as a danger, we react. The simple explanation, the clear blame, the black and white thinking that fake news often offers appeals to this instinct. In a dangerous world, it seems safer to know clearly where evil lurks.

The role of social media algorithms

Social media has become a powerful platform for spreading information and, unfortunately, misinformation. The algorithms of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat play a crucial role in this.

These algorithms were originally designed to provide us with content that might interest us. They are based on our interactions, preferences and behaviors. Unfortunately, this often leaves us trapped in echo chambers or filter bubbles where we primarily see opinions and information that match our own beliefs.

The “You might also like…” suggestions we see all the time reinforce this tendency. They are based on the same data and ensure that we continue to engage with similar topics, regardless of whether the information is true or false.

How we can defend ourselves against fake news

We can't control how algorithms work, but we can control how we consume and process information. Here are some tips:

  1. Diversify your sources of information. Subscribe to different news channels with different perspectives.
  2. Check the credibility of the sources. Not every website or social media profile is a trustworthy source.
  3. Be wary of sensational headlines that evoke strong emotions.
  4. Use fact checkers like us to verify information that you find suspicious.

We must not forget that we are not only consumers but also disseminators of information. Every time we share a message, we help spread it. It is therefore our responsibility to ensure that we do not contribute to the spread of false information.

The world is rarely simple. It is complex and often uncertain. But that's what makes them so interesting and lively. Let's not allow ourselves to be seduced by fake news that gives us a false sense of security. Instead, we should accept the world in all its complexity and move through it in an informed and responsible manner.


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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 )