Truth-Seeking in an Age of (Mis)Information Overload


Book Description

The unprecedented spread of false and misleading information is the flip side of the Internet's promise of universal access and information democratization. This volume features original contributions from scholars working on the challenge of misinformation across a wide range of STEM, humanities, and art disciplines. Modeling a collaborative, multidisciplinary "convergence approach," Truth-Seeking in an Age of (Mis)Information Overload is structured in three parts. Part one, "Misinformation and Artificial Intelligence," confronts the danger of outsourcing judgement and decision-making to AI instruments in key areas of public life, from the processing of loan applications to school funding, policing, and criminal sentencing. Part two, "Science Communication," foregrounds the need to rethink how scientific findings are communicated to the public, calling on scientists to cooperate with colleagues in other disciplines and community representatives to help minimize the negative effects of mis/disinformation in such vital areas as climate change science and public health. Part three, "Building Trust," further advocates for and explores instances of trust-building initiatives as a necessary precondition of both community-oriented scholarly activity and effective intervention strategies in high impact areas such as public health.




Navigating Fake News, Alternative Facts, and Misinformation in a Post-Truth World


Book Description

In the current day and age, objective facts have less influence on opinions and decisions than personal emotions and beliefs. Many individuals rely on their social networks to gather information thanks to social media’s ability to share information rapidly and over a much greater geographic range. However, this creates an overall false balance as people tend to seek out information that is compatible with their existing views and values. They deliberately seek out “facts” and data that specifically support their conclusions and classify any information that contradicts their beliefs as “false news.” Navigating Fake News, Alternative Facts, and Misinformation in a Post-Truth World is a collection of innovative research on human and automated methods to deter the spread of misinformation online, such as legal or policy changes, information literacy workshops, and algorithms that can detect fake news dissemination patterns in social media. While highlighting topics including source credibility, share culture, and media literacy, this book is ideally designed for social media managers, technology and software developers, IT specialists, educators, columnists, writers, editors, journalists, broadcasters, newscasters, researchers, policymakers, and students.




Post-Truth, Fake News and Democracy


Book Description

The new edition of Post-Truth, Fake News and Democracy offers an updated overview and critical discussion of contemporary discourses around truth, misinformation, and democracy, while also mapping cutting-edge scholarship. Through in-depth analyses of news articles, commentaries, academic publications, policy briefs, and political speeches, the book engages with the underlying normative ideas that shape how fake news is being addressed across the globe. Doing so, it provides an innovative, critical contribution to contemporary debates on democracy, post-truth, and politics. Three new chapters: Chapter 2 provides an outline of the scholarly field of research into fake news; Chapter 5 examines how issues of fake news and (mis)information have become intertwined with contemporary crisis events; and Chapter 9 presents democratic alternatives to post-truth solutionism. A new foreword by Professor Sarah Banet-Weiser. Fully updated examples and studies from contemporary events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Capitol attack, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Extended discussions on the causes of democratic decline, currently proposed solutions to fake news, and democratic alternatives to our current predicament. Interesting, informative, and well documented, Post-Truth, Fake News and Democracy continues its commitment to understand and engage with the current state and future of democracy.




The Psychology of Fake News


Book Description

This volume examines the phenomenon of fake news by bringing together leading experts from different fields within psychology and related areas, and explores what has become a prominent feature of public discourse since the first Brexit referendum and the 2016 US election campaign. Dealing with misinformation is important in many areas of daily life, including politics, the marketplace, health communication, journalism, education, and science. In a general climate where facts and misinformation blur, and are intentionally blurred, this book asks what determines whether people accept and share (mis)information, and what can be done to counter misinformation? All three of these aspects need to be understood in the context of online social networks, which have fundamentally changed the way information is produced, consumed, and transmitted. The contributions within this volume summarize the most up-to-date empirical findings, theories, and applications and discuss cutting-edge ideas and future directions of interventions to counter fake news. Also providing guidance on how to handle misinformation in an age of “alternative facts”, this is a fascinating and vital reading for students and academics in psychology, communication, and political science and for professionals including policy makers and journalists.




The Ethics of Information Technology and Business


Book Description

This is the first study of business ethics to take into consideration the plethora of issues raised by the Information Age. The first study of business ethics to take into consideration the plethora of issues raised by the Information Age. Explores a wide range of topics including marketing, privacy, and the protection of personal information; employees and communication privacy; intellectual property issues; the ethical issues of e-business; Internet-related business ethics problems; and the ethical dimension of information technology on society. Uncovers previous ignored ethical issues. Underlines the need for public discussion of the issues. Argues that computers and information technology have not necessarily developed in the most ethical manner possible.




Wired Humanity


Book Description

Step into "Wired Humanity," the profound exploration of our ever-evolving digital world—a landscape where pixels meet personhood and virtual realities intertwine with the tangible. This compelling eBook delves into the heart of what it means to live, work, and exist in an age where technology goes beyond being a tool; it becomes an extension of ourselves. There is no sphere untouched by the digital revolution. "Wired Humanity" begins with the Digital Identity Paradigm, unraveling the intricate ways in which our identities morph within cyberspace. How do our virtual personas impact the real world, and what does it mean to fragment our sense of self across multiple platforms? As we navigate the complex web of online existence, the substance of who we are shifts in mysterious—and sometimes alarming—ways. Through a tapestry of thought-provoking chapters, the book guides readers along the razor-thin line between sharing and secrecy in our Data-Driven Selfhood. It offers a rich examination of social media’s crucible, where we curate ourselves amidst echo chambers and digital pressures, and ventures into virtual worlds where gaming avatars become vessels for identity exploration and community building. But what of our physical bodies in this augmented age? Venturing into the realms of wearables and augmented reality, "Wired Humanity" probes the ethical quandaries of an increasingly cyborgian existence. As the boundaries blur further, the book scrutinizes the transformation of privacy, the balance of power in a world of pervasive surveillance, and the right to digital anonymity. The narrative also spotlights Artificial Intelligence—not merely as a tool but as a mirror, reflecting and sometimes distorting our sense of self. As technology redefines the workforce, reshapes education, and reconstructs the financial landscapes, "Wired Humanity" asks pressing questions Who are we amidst the digits and data? Do our digital livelihoods liberate or ensnare us? Remarkably timely, this eBook delves into the heart of digital citizenship and E-democracy, assessing the rippling impact of connectedness on our political and personal identities. It traverses the ethical terrain of bioinformatics, the convoluted reality of digital relationships, and the frontlines of the battle against propaganda and disinformation. "Wired Humanity" is not just a book; it's a roadmap for navigating the convergence of technology and human experience. Are we prepared for the singularity, merging with machines, or shall we seek solace in digital detox? With precise analysis and eye-opening insights, this work lays bare the emerging contours of a future where humanity is interwoven with the codes it has created. Prepare to be challenged, enlightened, and forever changed as you turn each virtual page and ponder the path ahead for our wired existence.




Information Literacy in a Post-Truth Era


Book Description

This book constitutes the refereed post-conference proceedings of the 7th European Conference on Information Literacy, ECIL 2021, held in online mode in September 2021. The 61 revised papers included in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 192 submissions. The papers are organized in the topical sections on ​information literacy in a post-truth era and news literacy; health literacy; data literacy; digital literacy and digital empowerment; other literacies; information literacy in different contexts; information literacy education in different sectors; information literacy instruction; assessment and evaluation of information literacy; academic integrity, plagiarism and digital piracy; information behaviour; information literacy, libraries and librarians; information literacy in different cultures and countries; information literacy and democracy, citizenship, active participation.




Truth in the Age of Lies


Book Description

Are you tired of being bombarded with fake news and misinformation? Do you struggle to discern fact from fiction in the digital age? "Truth in the Age of Lies" is your ultimate guide to navigating the complex landscape of information overload. - Are you overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available at your fingertips? - Are you unsure about the credibility of the news you read? - Do you want to understand the psychology behind why we believe in fake news? This book offers practical tools and techniques to help you verify facts and identify truth. It explores the role of social media in spreading fake news, the ethics and legal implications of misinformation, and the impact of fake news on democracy and public policy. - Learn about the new actors in the information wars: bots and trolls. - Discover the future of journalism in the age of A.I. and fake news. - Understand the societal implications of fake news and your duty to share responsibly. If you want to empower yourself in the age of information wars, then buy this book today. It's time to take control of the information you consume and share.




New Trends and Challenges in Information Science and Information Seeking Behaviour


Book Description

This book presents a series of recent studies that introduce current topics and novel concepts in the field of information science. Among the chapters are discussions of the contribution of information science to society in the dual context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Agenda 2030, some negative aspects of information behaviour, including criminal activities in the dark web and the hikikomori phenomenon, the hot issues of fake news and hate speech from a library and information science perspective, gamification in libraries, and the new concepts of ‘jamography’ and ‘disnormative information’. Intended for information specialists and researchers, librarians and library and information science students, the book analyses how people use information, what their information needs are and how these needs are satisfied in today’s digital world. The book can also serve as a useful reference for the education and training of students and specialists in library and information services.




Imagining the Internet


Book Description

In the early 1990s, people predicted the death of privacy, an end to the current concept of 'property,' a paperless society, 500 channels of high-definition interactive television, world peace, and the extinction of the human race after a takeover engineered by intelligent machines. Imagining the Internet zeroes in on predictions about the Internet's future and revisits past predictions—and how they turned out. It gives the history of communications in a nutshell, illustrating the serious impact of pervasive networks and how they will change our lives over the next century.