Optimising Emotions, Incubating Falsehoods: How to Protect the Global Civic Body from Disinformation and Misinformation

This open-access book explores the core features of online misinformation and disinformation, highlighting the optimization of emotions for commercial and political gain as a primary cause. It examines societal harms, evaluates solutions, and considers the need to strengthen societies as new biometric forms of emotion profiling emerge. It is of interest to scholars, students, policymakers, and citizens interested in preventing the spread of false information.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 02 January 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive open-access book delves into the intricate aspects of online misinformation and disinformation, shedding light on their underlying characteristics. It reveals that the primary driver of false information on the internet is the strategic optimization of emotions for commercial and political gain. The book's chapters meticulously examine the societal consequences of this phenomenon, assess potential solutions, and explore the necessary actions required to strengthen societies as new biometric forms of emotion profiling emerge. Drawing upon a wealth of empirical, interdisciplinary literature spanning multiple countries, this book appeals to scholars and students across a wide range of disciplines, including Communications, Journalism, Politics, Sociology, Science and Technology Studies, and Information Science. Additionally, it holds significant value for global and local policymakers, as well as ordinary citizens who are passionate about preventing the spread of false information on a global scale, both in the present and in the future.

Online misinformation and disinformation are pervasive issues that have significant consequences for individuals, societies, and the broader global community. This open-access book aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of these topics, shedding light on their origins, mechanisms, and impact.

The book begins by defining online misinformation and disinformation, highlighting their distinct characteristics and the challenges they pose. It then delves into the drivers of these phenomena, including the role of social media platforms, fake news outlets, and the spread of false information through algorithms and echo chambers.

The book explores the societal harms associated with online misinformation and disinformation, including the erosion of trust, the spread of false narratives, and the potential for political polarization and social unrest. It also evaluates various solutions to address these issues, such as fact-checking algorithms, media literacy education, and government regulations.

Furthermore, the book considers the emerging landscape of biometric forms of emotion profiling, which aim to analyze and predict human emotions based on data such as facial expressions, voice tone, and physiological responses. It raises concerns about the potential privacy implications, ethical considerations, and the risks of reinforcing biases and discrimination.

The book is organized into chapters that cover different aspects of online misinformation and disinformation, including their historical context, theoretical frameworks, and empirical studies. It draws upon a rich and interdisciplinary literature that examines multiple countries, cultures, and contexts.

This book is intended for scholars, students, policymakers, and ordinary citizens interested in understanding and addressing the challenges posed by online misinformation and disinformation. It provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of these topics, offering valuable insights and recommendations for preventing the spread of false information and promoting a more informed and trustworthy online environment.

Weight: 478g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031135507
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022