Digital Democracy: [effective communication and tackling - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Digital Democracy: [effective communication and tackling misinformation] Elena Felix, Gary Schwartz, Teresa Noyola, Yasmeen Alfouzan Interview Location Wednesday, 10/2 Image Source: https://www.surfcityusa.com/listing/philz-coffee/650/ What
Digital Democracy:
[effective communication and tackling misinformation]
Elena Felix, Gary Schwartz, Teresa Noyola, Yasmeen Alfouzan
Interview Location
Wednesday, 10/2
Image Source: https://www.surfcityusa.com/listing/philz-coffee/650/
What we asked
Misinformation/News
compelled to fact-check something you heard or read.
source that you are likely to trust/listen to?
Different opinions in conversation
discussion with someone whose opinion
feel that you understood why your conversation partner held their starting
! ?
Interview #1
Who? Kendall, in her 20s, used to work in advertising, is now a baker
hearing what she wants to hear
everything at once
“It’s trial and error, and ultimately you do have to put your trust in something.”
Interview #2
Who? Nile, in his 20s, in between things but going back to school. Very much to the left.
actual news.
Put picture here
“I would want to go down to the border and see for myself what’s going on but I can’t.”
“I want to hear what real people have to say.”
Interview #3
Who? Rob, in his 50’s. Center-right. Not working right now.
pick up on the street.
their own ends.
between people his age and younger people.
“team” without facts to back them up.
Put picture here
“My sister doesn’t have a basis for her arguments, she just wants to support her husband.”
Interview #4
Who? Ashwin, in his 40’s. Works at Google in Product Management.
information
public or any individual can’t act on as ‘useless’
“We have limited space in our mind, why fill it with stuff that doesn’t matter?”
SAY
Ashwin Kendall Rob Nile I don’t check the news, if it’s important enough, I will hear about it I sometimes go online to validate my
I changed my mind about welfare because I came to that
impulse at first.
There are a lot of things more worthy of my attention than whatever a news site chooses to highlight and spin.
I try to stay well informed, but there’s
research you can do.
At first, just listen. Don’t come into a conversation expecting to change your mind. They all went to journalism school so they probably know what they’re talking about I would like to go to the border and see what’s really going on there, but all you can do is read the news It’s important to trust your gut
has a sense of what’s right and wrong. Give me statistics, and facts. It is the best way to decide on an
I get 40% of my information from comments, 60% from news. I see the groundswell in the comments
I don’t trust the Young Turks anymore because they took money to support Elizabeth Warren
After reading the NYT, I was easily able to understand the difference between self-driving and assisted driving
Family members team up with their spouse rather than form their
I feel healthy after reading the NYT, not depressed like when I read the local news
DO
Ashwin Kendall Rob Nile Avoid news articles and
Talks with
receive information Challenges
something they say seems ridiculous
He experimented with reading news in text-only mode (to avoid ads), switching news sites, but none of it kept him interested for long Talks to her mom often, despite having
Regularly talks about politics with her boyfriend
Mostly reads printed news (picks up newspaper at local coffee shops) Does not talk to younger people about politics Allegedly communicated live with Trump via Twitter Cares very little about and avoids ‘inactionable’ news Tries to sell parents on Bernie (unsuccessful ly) Never fact-checks
Does ‘her part’ in voting, even when things feel already decided
Browses comments for insights from people “on the ground”
THINK
Ashwin Kendall Rob Nile
Most news sites follow a formula: something catastrophic, followed by cute animals There are privacy concerns, having your clicks tracked and content personalized makes it easier to manipulate your feed Aware of biases, and thinks it’s okay being neutral or not forming an opinion immediately
The media has an agenda. What people think is more interesting than the news
Mainstream newspapers are totally trustworthy, whereas crime stories might not be totally accurate due to involve misjudgements of the people involved
People prefer to argue for “their side” than to learn the truth.
Alternative media is more trustworthy than mainstream media Other people don’t engage in political discussion with him because they fear confrontation
A conversation is
ways to get her point across
Young people are superficial, childish, not substantive
It’s easier to understand a person’s views, beliefs, and opinions if you know them Intent behind information given matters
FEEL
Ashwin Kendall Rob Nile Strong dislike for noise: ads, and news as entertainment
Discomfort with being on the receiving end of opinion ‘manipulation’
Unwilling to submit to news
competing for his attention Dissatisfaction with her inability to be fully informed on topics that she wants to form
The media has betrayed my ideals. Distrust in the media Animosity towards people I argue with about the news. Connected to people who actually experienced what the news is talking about.
Happy when I get educated by the news, especially if it’s presented in an accessible and organized way
Comfortable discussing things with people who have opposite opinions
Disappointed that I haven’t been able to sell my parents on Bernie
Willing to change
evidence or reasoning
Kendall “I try to read as many opinions and sources as possible. It’s important to diversify your sources.” When asked to demonstrate how she checks the news, she mentioned only one source (TYT).
Insight: People think it’s important to remain ‘unbiased’ by reading as many different opinions as possible; in practice, this is overwhelming. Need: Being informed of others’ opinions without exerting much effort.
Ashwin “I like getting my news from
them” “Opinion articles always try to influence you, I have no interest in being a part of that.”
Insight: Sometimes people think their own beliefs are under threat of being manipulated against their will, and lack of personal trust amplifies it. Need: A way for a person to feel like their
conversation or reading about an issue.
Nile “I feel the media has an agenda, I prefer to see what real people think about it.”
Insight: People value “real” opinions by people without an agenda. Need: A way for people to interact with the news through people who have experienced it or who have first-hand knowledge.
Rob “My sister doesn’t have support for her position, she just sides with her husband.”
Insight: People often get into arguments based on “towing the party line” or to “win the argument” not based on cold reasoning. Need: A way for people to take emotions and group biases out of the argument.
Summary of Needs:
an issue.
have first-hand knowledge.