Introduction
In today’s digital age, our lives are intricately woven with the fabric of social media. As most of us wake up, our hands instantly reach out for our mobile phones to check for new messages on WhatsApp. This habitual action not only keeps us connected and informed but also establishes a societal norm. However, as we open our mobile phones, we are confronted with a constant barrage of information on platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter. Unfortunately, not all the information we encounter is verified and truthful. Consequently, we become vulnerable to being misguided and misdirected. It’s remarkably easy to lose ourselves in this myriad of information, succumbing to the pressures and influences that surround us. Misinformation campaigns by vested interests, orchestrated by unscrupulous yet influential individuals, unknowingly sway the stream of our thoughts. Sometimes these unwittingly result in monetary loss or undertaking the tasks that we wouldn’t have logically agreed to undertake.
The Two Articles
Two articles caught my attention recently, in the Times of India dated 27th April 2024, each shedding light on a different aspect of our relationship with social media.
The First Article
The first article, “Our minds have turned against us,” paints a stark picture of the effects of information overload, loneliness, and capitalist pressure on our thought patterns. These findings are based upon the work by the author Amanda Montell in her book, “The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality”.
The author explores the fascinating world of magical thinking. Explained in a layman’s language, the term Magical thinking refers to the belief that our internal thoughts can somehow influence unrelated external events. Imagine someone thinking they can manifest their way out of poverty, ward off cancer with positive vibes, or even transform an unhealthy relationship into a glorious one through sheer loyalty. It’s like having a magical wand in your mind that you believe can shape reality.
Consider a scenario where a social media post claims, with fabricated evidence, that cancer can be cured by a specific herb or exercise regimen. This misinformation, if believed by individuals who are less informed or desperate for a cure, could prompt them to take drastic actions, such as discontinuing chemotherapy treatment. Sadly, such decisions can result in irreparable harm to the patient. This example vividly illustrates the concept of ‘magical overthinking’ as advocated by Montell, wherein patients and caregivers place excessive trust in social media forwards, inadvertently causing harm.
The Halo Effect
In her book, Montell contends that in our modern information age, our brains are inundated with coping mechanisms, amplifying our irrationality to unprecedented levels. She delves into various cognitive biases prevalent in our minds, including the Halo Effect.
The Halo Effect can be understood through the lens of celebrity endorsements. Many times, celebrities endorse products as paid marketing campaign. The celebrity’s association enhances the product’s perceived value due to Halo Effect around the celebrity. Yet it does not guarantee that s/he personally use or endorse the product in their everyday life. Likewise, the claims made by the promoters of the product may not always be accurate.
Due to the Halo Effect surrounding the celebrity, consumers implicitly trust the product and the claims by the promoter. In doing so they inadvertently assume that it meets the same standards as the celebrity’s public image. Consequently, consumers may unwittingly purchase substandard products based solely on the influence of the celebrity endorsement.
Montell further discusses the Sunk Cost Fallacy, which ensnares individuals in unproductive situations long after they’ve recognized their lack of benefit. For instance, consider how some unscrupulous brands may compromise their quality standards once they achieve popularity. Despite this decline in quality, loyal customers persist in supporting these brands, often paying higher prices and experiencing a sunk cost
Learnings
- Main theme: This article focuses on the adverse effects of information overload, loneliness, and capitalist pressure on our thinking patterns.
- Concept of Magical Thinking: It explains how magical thinking, the belief that internal thoughts can influence external events, contributes to irrational behaviour, especially in the context of social media.
- Examples: The article provides examples of how magical thinking can lead to harmful actions, such as discontinuing medical treatments based on false information spread on social media.
- Cognitive Biases: It discusses various cognitive biases, including the Halo effect and the Sunk Cost Fallacy, which further amplify our vulnerability to misinformation and irrational decision-making.
- Illustrative Example: An example is given of how the Sunk Cost Fallacy can manifest in support for a disgraced spiritual leader, despite evidence of wrongdoing, illustrating how biases affect our perceptions and actions.
The Second Article
Let’s now delve into the second article, exploring further the concept of the ‘Sunk Cost Fallacy.’ Imagine a scenario where a popular godman, whose following increased in geometric proportions with the use of social media, is found guilty of several offenses and subsequently jailed for his wrongdoings. Despite this revelation, some followers, driven by blind faith, remain steadfastly loyal to him, bitten by the Sunk Cost Fallacy. They continue to campaign for his teachings on social media, solely to protect his image.
Here, the second article, ‘Wisdom at Social Media is Like a Seed,’ by Bhartendu Sood (The Speaking Tree, Times of India dated 27th April 2024), becomes relevant. Offering a spiritual perspective on our digital interactions, it reminds us that while the messages encountered on social media may appear uplifting and positive, they alone cannot bring true peace, love, happiness, wisdom, or freedom from fear.
Like seeds planted in fertile soil, these messages require nurturing, dedication, and selfless service to flourish into something meaningful. Returning to our illustration of the Sunk Cost Fallacy involving a fallen guru or godman, it becomes evident that he initially attracted followers by presenting to them the ‘seeds’ of ‘goodness.’ However, due to the Halo Effect surrounding the godman, followers began to believe that he embodies all he preaches.
Yet, the seller of these ‘seeds of goodness’ may not necessarily intend to cultivate them within himself with the same dedication and selfless service he advocates to his followers. In this scenario, it falls upon the followers to internalize the correct values while discreetly distancing themselves from the guru, recognizing that he may preach the right ideals but fail to embody them.
However, achieving this demands the ability to think and act rationally, a faculty often hindered by an excessive reliance on social media campaigning. The followers, due to their behaviour of remaining loyal to the fallen guru or godman, are bitten by the Sunk Cost Fallacy.
The Way Forward
Both articles have effectively cautioned us about the material propagated on social media. However, the use of social media apps has become an integral part of our lives. Therefore, it is crucial to follow guiding principles to navigate this digital realm with wisdom and intention. This will inherently entail the social media users to imbibe in themselves the qualities like mindfulness, critical thinking, balanced behaviour, and healthy discernment while using the social media.
In my opinion, the following guiding principles are essential
Mindful Consumption: Just as we are mindful of what we eat, we should be mindful of what we consume digitally. Before mindlessly scrolling through our feed or forwarding content, pause and ask, “Does this content nourish my mind and soul, or does it drain me?”
Critical Thinking: Develop a healthy scepticism towards the information encountered online. Avoid taking everything at face value. Instead, dig deeper, fact-check, and consider multiple perspectives before forming an opinion.
Cultivate Balance: Balance is key in all aspects of life, including social media usage. Set boundaries for yourself, both in terms of time spent online and the type of content you engage with. Allocate time for real-life connections and activities that bring joy and fulfilment.
Nurture Relationships: Remember that while social media can facilitate connections, it’s not a substitute for genuine human interaction. Prioritize and nurture relationships offline, building meaningful connections based on authenticity and mutual respect.
Practice Discernment: Cultivate discernment in discerning messages that resonate with your values and aspirations. True wisdom is found not in viral memes or catchy slogans but in the depth of our own experiences and reflections.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while social media can be a powerful tool for connection and expression, it also carries inherent risks. By approaching it with caution, mindfulness, and discernment, we can navigate this digital landscape with grace and wisdom, cultivating seeds of positivity and understanding along the way. Let’s strive to use social media not as a source of distraction or validation but as a platform for meaningful engagement and growth.
Inspire Positivity 