Concordia University: New Concordia research shows social networks are vulnerable to relatively simple AI manipulation and polarization. “It seems that no matter the topic of conversation, online opinion around it will be split into two seemingly irreconcilable camps. That’s largely a result of these platforms’ design, as the algorithms driving them direct users to like-minded peers. This […]

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/04/17/concordia-university-new-concordia-research-shows-social-networks-are-vulnerable-to-relatively-simple-ai-manipulation-and-polarization/

The phrase I'm stopping myself from saying most often..

"Why are prices so high?" - Because you vote Republican

"Why can't I get someone who speaks English when I call tech support?" - Because you vote Republican

"Why is our national debt so ridiculous?" - Because you vote Republican

"Why are people being laid off and their #jobs sent overseas?" - Because you vote Republican

"Why isn't it possible to have a #career any longer? Why is everything #GigWork?" - Because you vote Republican

"Why can't anyone afford #housing these days?" - Because you vote Republican

"Why are all these homeless people camped in my city?" - Because you vote Republican

"Why are #undocumented Mexican workers being hired instead of Americans?" - Because you vote Republican

"Why do we have such awful #PoliticalPolarization ?" - Because you vote Republican

"Why isn't the weather normal anymore?" - Because you vote Republican

"Why don't we give adequate care to our veterans?" - Because you vote Republican

"Why are my medication prices so high?" - Because you vote Republican

"Why is my healthcare so expensive, with so few doctors available in my area?" - Because you vote Republican

"Why do I pay $3.50 every time I withdraw cash from an ATM?" - Because you vote Republican

"Why is #college #tuition so expensive?" - Because you vote #Republican (OK, also some other reasons, but heavily the Republican thing)

"Why are people giving me the stink eye in the grocery store?" - I think you know.

New York stock market becomes political battleground as Trump administration and Democrats clash over Tesla, raising concerns about market politicization and conflict of interest.
#YonhapInfomax #TeslaStock #TrumpAdministration #PoliticalPolarization #ConflictOfInterest #WallStreet #Economics #FinancialMarkets #Banking #Securities #Bonds #StockMarket
https://en.infomaxai.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=55233

Americans think political parties prefer extremists to moderates https://www.psypost.org/americans-think-political-parties-prefer-extremists-to-moderates/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #PoliticalParties #Extremism #Moderates #PoliticalPolarization #Democrats

More biased = more trustworthy? New research uncovers a troubling trend among Democrats and Republicans https://www.psypost.org/more-biased-more-trustworthy-new-research-uncovers-a-troubling-trend-among-democrats-and-republicans/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #PoliticalBias #PartisanLanguage #TrustInPolitics #PoliticalPolarization #DivisivePolitics

Online platforms risk becoming ideological echo chambers that undermine meaningful dialogue
#Tech #SocialMedia #Bluesky #Decentralization #ElonMusk #EchoChambers #PoliticalPolarization #Democracy #X #Twitter #DigitalDiscourse #OnlinePlatforms #Polarization
https://the-14.com/online-platforms-risk-becoming-ideological-echo-chambers-that-undermine-meaningful-dialogue/

We know.

Study: Republicans Respond to Political Polarization by Spreading Misinformation, Democrats Don't
https://www.ama.org/2024/12/09/study-republicans-respond-to-political-polarization-by-spreading-misinformation-democrats-dont/
#politics #uspolitics #polarization #politicalpolarization

Forbidden knowledge claims polarize beliefs and critical thinking across political lines https://www.psypost.org/forbidden-knowledge-claims-polarize-beliefs-and-critical-thinking-across-political-lines/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #ForbiddenKnowledge #CriticalThinking #Censorship #PoliticalPolarization #Misinformation

Donald Trump remains an influential figure in U.S. politics even while not holding office, actively pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders during trips abroad. This article examines his recent activities and the implications of his continued involvement on the global stage. Key takeaways from this situation include:
1.... Read more: https://steelefamlaw.com/cEZRBA #TrumpEffect #GlobalPolitics #FormerLeaders #PoliticalPolarization #DiplomaticEngagement

More evidence that #socialMedia #polarization may not be amplified by #algorithms?

"Exposure to like-minded #arguments [increased] #politicalPolarization [more] than exposure to opposing arguments. Algorithmic curation did not amplify these effects...." (N > 800 Germans across three waves)

Would you expect *more* or *less* polarization if — as in real reality — *people* controlled their argument exposure?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2023.100343

A Very Strong Case Why MAGA Voters Are Stupid #USPolitics #DonaldTrump #RepublicanParty #PoliticalCommentary #VoterBehavior #PoliticalPolarization #LeeAtwater #RacismInPolitics #AmericanElections #YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrU6F-S8VMo

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#MetalSucks
Hunt the Dinosaur Sort of Apologize for Posting Picture of Kyle Rittenhouse
The vocalist says he doesn't support Rittenhouse, which is hard to believe.

https://www.metalsucks.net/2024/06/13/hunt-the-dinosaur-sort-of-apologize-for-posting-picture-of-kyle-rittenhouse/

What Donald Trump’s fiery reaction to his conviction says about this moment in US politics
#USA #USPolitics #JoeBiden #DonaldTrump #USElection #PoliticalPolarization #TrumpConviction #RiggedSystem
https://the-14.com/what-donald-trumps-fiery-reaction-to-his-conviction-says-about-this-moment-in-us-politics/

»#Politicalpolarization can be reduced when people are told to think about the #personalrelevance of #issues they might not care about at first glance.« https://www.psypost.org/psychologists-have-discovered-a-surprisingly-simple-technique-to-reduce-political-polarization/?eicker.news #tech #media

Does #ClimateChange lead to #SocietalCollapse ?
Not necessarily.

"Researchers [who] use mathematical models to understand the dynamics of complex systems found plenty of examples of societies that made it through famines, cold snaps, and other forms of environmental stress.

What matters most, the Complexity Science Hub’s study posits, is #inequality and #PoliticalPolarization."

https://grist.org/culture/climate-change-societal-collapse-explained/

"Republicans Started a Civil War They Don’t Know How to End

#RepublicansCivilWar #PoliticalConflict
#GOPStruggles #PoliticalPolarization
#UncertainFuture #Politics #News"

Hate this defeatus headline. The GOP Civil War will be over when enough of their remaining sane members realize they have to 'compromise'. Their era of passing laws/bills with stupid solutions to complicated problems, debt increasing funding cuts, tax cuts that will not affect 99.9% of people, 'poison pills', etc. is over.

Republicans Started a Civil War They Don’t Know How to End

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/10/republicans-started-a-civil-war-they-dont-know-how-to-end.html

Biden Calls Out Members of Congress 'Sowing So Much Division They're Willing to Shut Down the Government'

https://themessenger.com/politics/biden-calls-out-members-of-congress-sowing-so-much-division-theyre-willing-to-shut-down-the-government

New study reveals linguistic divergence influenced by political polarization in the US via social media data. Findings highlight the potential for miscommunication as speech communities grow apart. This methodology can be applied globally.

https://arxiv.org/abs/2309.01659

Ars Technica: Political polarization toned down through anonymous online chats https://arstechnica.com/?p=1962109 #Tech #arstechnica #IT #Technology #politicalpolarization #Behavioralscience #Humanbehavior #anonymity #ideology #Science