【18+ Archives】

What would've happened if America had seen this coming8+ Archives

For a large mass of the world, the election of Donald Trump was unfathomable mere hours before it happened. Helping that along were a slew of polls along with nonstop commentary—from experts, entertainers and laymen—indicating Hillary Clinton as a superior candidate, on course for a cake-walk of a win.

They were wrong, to an almost universal degree. And the fact that so few could anticipate Trump's victory calls into question how America gets our information—what were we missing, and why?

---

You May Also Like

---

---

It's a question that inevitably leads us to Facebook.

SEE ALSO: Even Facebook employees think Mark Zuckerberg is wrong about News Feed

Facebook certainly isn't our only source of news, but no single platform reaches as many people: roughly 170 million daily active users in the U.S.—tens of millions more than who voted. It's been argued, convincingly, that Facebook isn't doing enough to combat blatantly untrue news articles that appear in the news feed, and that it hasn't lived up to (or even worse, has actively shirked) its responsibilities as a distributor of content to do so.

The Facebook algorithm's only mission is to keep you engaged with Facebook.

But do Facebook's users bear some of that responsibility, too? The site's algorithm is complex, and inherently adaptive; it serves up content based on yourbehavior—after all, its only mission is keeping you on Facebook. If you like and engage inflammatory articles from the alt-right, you'll probably end up seeing commentary from National Review. Likewise, if you share John Oliver's latest diatribe, you'll probably be more likely to see Samantha Bee's next monologue in your feed.

This is how "filter bubbles" are made.

The term entered the lexicon after a 2011 TED Talk from Eli Pariser, who warned against immersing ourselves in content that's only—or at least predominantly—agreeable. Filter bubbles are fueled by confirmation bias (or: our inherent tendency to engage with ideas we already agree with, and dismiss the ones we don't).

We're now seeing the large-scale effect of a nationwide filter bubble, and it's not healthy. Whether or not Facebook actually had a role in the outcome of the election is debatable, but there's no question it was a primary mover in the conversation. Only now it looks like there were actually twoconversations going one, with little discourse between them.

It doesn't have to be that way, though. Facebook's algorithm isn't inherently biased, and you can even make it work againstyour confirmation bias, if you try.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

Here are a few straightforward ways you can get a news feed with a more diverse point of view, and pop that filter bubble.

1. Don't unfriend people based on their beliefs.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

We get it, you're mad. Post all the rage you need to, commiserate with friends in comments, and even take a break from social media for a while. But don't unfriend Facebook friends because they don't share your worldview—even if you find that worldview distasteful or even dangerous. Unfriending people on Facebook doesn't make them go away, invalidate their beliefs, or convince anyone of yours.

Unfriending is, to borrow an apt metaphor, the digital equivalent of building a wall. It's a wall that'll create a safe space for you and the people you choose to let in, sure—but until you go beyond it, there's no way to know how big and passionate the group on the other side is. Or what they're thinking, and how they're articulating it.

If you still aren't comfortable being "friends" with someone whose beliefs you consider reprehensible, there is, actually, an alternative: Unfriend them, but make sure you followthem to make sure their posts will still appear in your news feed.

2. Don't delete comments you don't like.

The thing about political commentary is there's always someone who disagrees with you. The act of putting forward a point of view on Facebook (which is certainly encouraged) has an implicit invitation of commentary and, yes, criticism. It really doesn't matter if you post publicly or privately to a group of friends: You're speaking, and people are entitled to respond. If you don't like those responses, reply, debate and clarify, but do not silence them.

Big distinction here: There's a world of difference between engaging in a discussion, however spirited, and hate speech. If someone responds to your posts with, say, racist or sexist epithets, then delete/unfriend/block away. Otherwise...

3. Engage with those you disagree with.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

It's easy to dismiss the posts in your news feed that represent the other side as you scroll by them in the news feed. It's slightly harder to ignore the people commenting on your posts with serious disagreements, but not much.

To get out of your filter bubble, do both. Once a day, click on a link that you disagree with. When someone argues with you in a comment, before you even respond (and dorespond), hit "Like" on that comment, even if you disagree. It's not an endorsement (or at least: it doesn't have to be). It actually signals to Facebook you're engaging with the comment and the person, and will steer content your way appropriately.

4. Read the comments on your friends' posts.

There will be people disagreeing in the comments. Engage with them (see above). Maybe even follow them.

5. Follow media outlets you disagree with.

This goes without saying, but: Don't follow extremist or radical groups with offensive belief systems. That said, it won't kill you to follow Fox News (or, from the other side, the Huffington Post). Look at the sites, publications and personalities you follow that support your worldview, then ask yourself what their equivalent is on the other side. Be selective in your following, but dofollow. And engage.

6. Read before you share.

Don't tell anyone, but it's a dirty little secret of media that websites sometimes write misleading or hyperbolic headlines. Before you slam that share button, read what you're sharing, to make sure it really substantiates its claims. Otherwise, you'll simply be polishing the inside of your bubble, and it'll be even harder to see beyond the reflected nodding faces of you and your friends.

7. Flag fake news.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

There have been many calls for Facebook to do something about fake news on its site, and it should. But you don't have to wait for them—you can do something about fake news stories the moment you see them. Just go to the drop-down arrow in the top right, go down to Report post > I think it shouldn't be on Facebook > It's a false news story.

If you're already familiar with this box, you should probably stop (or at least go easy on) using the "It's annoying or distasteful" and "It goes against my views" options. Blocking things for going against your views is exactly what makes your filter bubble grow. That is, until it gets so big, and the forces on the other side so strong, that the entire thing implodes. Sound familiar?

SEE ALSO: Facebook might not detect fake news, but this Chrome extension will

Topics Facebook Social Media