Public gets some blame for success of meddling
The dirty secret lies just beneath the righteous indignation. Russian ringmasters configured the Disinformation Flea Circus while the "fleas" perpetuated their three-ring incitement with all the frenzied momentum of a successful "halt and catch fire" application. Social media proved the ideal venue.
Using crowd theory, Russians injected half-truths, bias, fear and outright falsehood to infect the minds of American citizens. Crowd, aka herd, theory recognizes that peer-driven behavior is largely based on emotion rather than rationality. Social media can easily exploit crowd behavior, organizing and manipulating the collective mind. The technology is instantaneous, intense and interactive as well as democratic and credulous. Social media has the power to reinforce preconceived convictions, reshape perception and co-opt critical analysis. And with every "like" and each "share" that is exactly what it did.
The herd mistakes trending for truth; reflex replaces reason. Distinct segments of the U.S. population were matched to whichever social media platform optimized the desired result. Russians utilized Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pay Pal and Instagram to determine the most effective means of segmental manipulation. Make no mistake, Russians weaponized American social platforms intending to divide the body politic during the 2016 election. Americans were "easy pickings." So many fell for it with thumbs-up.
While it's easy to blame platform providers for our exploitation, we must also look inward. Who shared? Who retweeted? Who liked? Who spread the disinformation contagion? We did. Crowds are not necessarily homogeneous entities. Individuals remain capable of judgment. Those calling for a boycott of platforms just don't get it. Russia exploited and disrupted. But the "fleas" were active and willing participants. Be honest. Take your share of the blame. Jump clear of the three rings, leave the herd once in a while and see the light of day.
Sheila M. Barrett
Elk Grove Village,