Technology’s Effect on the World’s Memories Essay Example
This week’s lecture presented a number of stimulating and captivating questions.
In our discussion of technology, we delved into its evolution, from the invention of fire to the rise of Twitter and everything in between. One recurring theme in both the lecture and Mary Chayko's book, Superconnected: the internet, digital media, and techno-social life, is the question of whether fast information equates to better information. That is what I aim to unravel.
How Facebook, fake news and friends are warping your memory demonstrates the creation of collective memories that are false. This phenomenon, known as memory convergence, occurs when individuals converse about memories with others and, even if incorrect, convince themselves that those memories are true (Spinney, 2017). This trend has occurred in the past and continues to occur presently. The article also discusses how people engage in memory convergence more freq
...uently with individuals they perceive as part of their social circle. This communication can take place in person or through online platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Individuals often unquestionably accept and share fake news articles they encounter on their news feeds, contributing to the propagation of false information. This behavior perpetuates the spread of inaccurate content. Furthermore, if these falsehoods are not corrected, they can be transmitted across generations. Thankfully, research indicates that people typically have the ability to correct false memories when presented with accurate information from a reliable source (Spinney, 2017). The relevance of this article to the current module is evident.
The article discusses how fake news can infiltrate the mind, which relates to our lessons this week. In the past, information was spread through word of mouth, but now Google provides instant answers. However,
fake news has been prevalent throughout history. The article highlights that different racial groups may have varying memories and sentiments about the same historical events.
(Spinney, 2017) The internet has revolutionized communication by empowering individuals to publish content that can rapidly go viral, even if it is fake news. I have personally seen the detrimental effects of false information on my social media feed, as people become extremely distressed due to inaccurate articles. However, I remain hopeful because technology offers us the means to fact-check and curtail the dissemination of false news.
Before, people used to rely on word of mouth, but now we can access news sources and evaluate their credibility. This article has emphasized the need for caution and constant skepticism when consuming information. I have developed a habit of researching the source behind every article I come across. Additionally, it's crucial to pay attention to the publication date since outdated articles are frequently shared, causing frustration over already resolved matters.
Faster access to information is beneficial because it enables us to quickly retrieve large amounts of data and verify its accuracy.
References
- Chayko, M. (2018). Superconnected: the internet, digital media, and techno-social life. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc.
- Spinney, L. (2017). How Facebook, fake news and friends are warping your memory Research on collective recall takes on new importance in a post-fact world. Nature, Pages 168-170.
- Watson, C. MC. (2019).
Technology Throughout History [PowerPoint]. Retrieved from https://asu.instructure.com/courses/7769/pages/module-1-learning-materials?module_item_id=376477
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