Algorithms & Conspiracy Theories

Summary of the report "Information Literacy in the Age of Algorithms" in comic form, covering concepts of data mining and algorithm bias amplify misinformation and polarization

Zoom in Links to an external site. or read the text version of the infographic Links to an external site.

Algorithms & Conspiracy Theories

Read pages 3-8 of this recent report on the ways algorithms influence the spread of conspiracy theories from Project Information Literacy Links to an external site..

Watch the following 6-minute video, "The Miseducation of Dylann Roof," from the Southern Poverty Law Center.

 

Discussion Questions

  • How do algorithms filter the news we see about the world?
  • What are the social and political ramifications of algorithms and how they influence our understanding of current events?
  • How do algorithms encourage the spread of conspiracy theories?

"Life in the Age of Algorithms"  by Jessica Yurkofsky is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA Links to an external site.

"The Miseducation of Dylann Roof (Links to an external site.)." YouTube, uploaded by Southern Poverty Law Center, 18 Jan. 2017.