The Mechanics of Outrage and Misinformation

Outrage is a natural human response to perceived moral violations. It’s an emotional cocktail of anger, disgust, and indignation. While this reaction can rally communities against injustice, it also has a darker side in the digital age. Research shows that when content evokes outrage, it triggers a strong impulse to share—often without fact-checking. The emotional high of expressing indignation overshadows the need for accuracy.

One study analyzed millions of social media posts to understand this behavior. Researchers used machine learning models to identify posts likely to provoke moral outrage. They found that outrage-driven content—whether factual or not—dominated the digital landscape. Alarmingly, misinformation was far more likely to evoke outrage than trustworthy news, giving it an edge in the social media attention economy.

This disparity creates fertile ground for fake news to thrive. Outrageous headlines, regardless of their truthfulness, are shared widely because they resonate with deep-seated biases and moral values. The algorithmic structures of platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook further amplify this content, prioritizing engagement over credibility.

Why We Share Outrageous Content

Sharing on social media isn’t just an act of communication; it’s a form of social signaling. When we share content that aligns with our moral beliefs, we broadcast our values to our peers. This signaling can be a cheap yet effective way to show group affiliation or gain social approval. Unfortunately, this often comes at the expense of truth.

Behavioral experiments have revealed that people frequently share misinformation despite recognizing it as false. The motivation isn’t ignorance but a desire to express outrage or align with a particular group. This behavior mirrors that of public figures who knowingly spread fabrications to rally their base, demonstrating that the urge to signal moral stances often outweighs the need for factual accuracy.

Another layer of complexity lies in the role of social media algorithms. These systems are designed to reward engagement, and outrage-driven content is a surefire way to attract clicks, likes, and shares. This creates a feedback loop where users and content creators are incentivized to produce and share increasingly outrageous material.

Breaking the Cycle: What Can Be Done?

To disrupt the cycle of outrage-driven misinformation, we need a multifaceted approach. First, social media platforms must rethink their algorithms. Prioritizing credible sources and demoting sensationalized content can help reduce the spread of fake news. Transparency in how algorithms rank and promote content is also necessary to rebuild trust in these platforms.

On an individual level, the power lies in pausing before sharing. Ask yourself: Does this content evoke strong emotions? Have I verified its accuracy? Simple prompts like these can curb impulsive sharing and reduce the spread of misinformation. Moreover, fostering digital literacy skills is vital. Users must learn to critically evaluate sources, recognize manipulation tactics, and understand the role of algorithms in shaping their feeds.

Finally, holding oneself accountable is key. Sharing misinformation—even unknowingly—can harm reputations and erode trust. By committing to accuracy, individuals can contribute to a healthier information ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

• Moral outrage is a powerful driver of misinformation on social media.
• People often share outrageous content to signal values, even when they know it’s false.
• Algorithms amplify outrage-driven content, creating a feedback loop of misinformation.
• Pause before sharing: verify accuracy and consider the emotional impact of the content.
• Platforms and individuals must work together to prioritize truth and combat fake news.

Source:People will share misinformation that sparks “moral outrage” – Ars Technica

Who Is Jay Graber?

Jay Graber is not your average tech CEO. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to a Chinese mother and Swiss father, her multicultural upbringing gave her a unique perspective on the world. Her name, Lantian, meaning ‘blue sky’ in Mandarin, seems almost prophetic in hindsight. After studying Science, Technology, and Society at the University of Pennsylvania, she embarked on a career that would take her from soldering bitcoin mining equipment to leading one of the most innovative social media platforms of the decade.

Graber’s professional journey includes stints as a software engineer, a blockchain developer for Zcash, and even a failed attempt at creating an event planning platform. While the latter didn’t pan out, it taught her valuable lessons about user-centric design. By 2021, she was at the helm of Bluesky, a platform dedicated to decentralizing social media and putting users back in control of their online interactions. It’s ambitious, sure, but so is every revolution.

What Makes Bluesky Different?

If social media platforms were high school archetypes, Bluesky would be the cool kid who doesn’t care about being popular but somehow ends up being everyone’s favorite. Unlike Twitter, which seems to thrive on chaos and algorithms, Bluesky offers a simpler, more transparent space where users can decide what they want to see. Imagine a timeline that doesn’t feel like a slot machine designed to keep you scrolling. Revolutionary, right?

Built on decentralization, Bluesky allows users and communities to own their data rather than handing it over to a corporate overlord. It’s like moving out of a cramped apartment where the landlord spies on you, into a co-op where everyone has a say. Graber’s focus on decentralization isn’t just a technical decision; it’s a philosophical stance against monopolistic control of information. In a world where your every click is monetized, Bluesky feels like a breath of fresh, unmonetized air.

The Challenges of Decentralization

Of course, decentralization isn’t all sunshine and roses. It’s complex, messy, and sometimes downright frustrating. By giving users more control, Bluesky also hands them more responsibility, which can be daunting for those used to the hand-holding of traditional platforms. But Graber and her team are committed to making it work, balancing technical innovation with user-friendly design. It’s a bit like teaching people to fish rather than just handing them sushi: harder at first, but infinitely more rewarding in the long run.

Another challenge is scalability. Decentralized systems can struggle under the weight of millions of users, and Bluesky is no exception. But if anyone can navigate these waters, it’s Graber, whose background in blockchain technology gives her a unique edge. If she could survive soldering bitcoin mining equipment in a factory, she can probably handle a few technical hiccups.

Why This Matters

In an era where surveillance capitalism dominates, platforms like Bluesky offer a glimmer of hope. It’s not just about creating a better social media experience; it’s about reclaiming the internet as a space for genuine human connection. Graber’s vision isn’t just ambitious; it’s necessary. As the internet continues to evolve, the question isn’t whether decentralization will play a role—it’s how much resistance it will face from those who prefer the status quo.

Bluesky isn’t just a platform; it’s a movement. And while it’s still in its early days, the potential is enormous. With Graber at the helm, it’s hard not to feel optimistic about where it’s headed. After all, who better to lead the charge than someone who’s spent their career fighting for privacy, autonomy, and a better digital future?

Key Takeaways

• Jay Graber’s multicultural background and diverse career path uniquely position her to lead Bluesky.
• Bluesky prioritizes user control and decentralization, making it a refreshing alternative to traditional social media platforms.
• Decentralization comes with challenges, but it’s a necessary step toward a more democratic internet.
• Bluesky represents a larger movement to reclaim the internet from corporate dominance, offering users a chance to own their digital identities.

Visit Bluesky here: https://bsky.social

A license is granted once the applicant, typically a spry and eager teenager, passes a written test and the state sponsored or licensed driving test. Permits are issued under certain circumstances, but require a fully licensed driver to be present at all times while the permitted driver is behind the wheel. There is an early age requirement for both the license and the permit, and both require a very basic understanding of the laws of the road and basic vehicle operation.

Likewise, a license can be revoked by the issuer for many reasons… DUI, medical issues, too many “points” for infractions, etc.

It is a license to drive. There is no right to drive. It’s a privilege, earned by proving your understanding of the law and basic vehicle operation.

I have a simple proposal that would revolutionize the safety of drivers and pedestrians, and would lead to a guaranteed increases of funding for public roads.

Ready for it?

This is an idea so simple, it’s unbelievable.

I’m a software developer by trade with 25 years of experience behind me. One of the items I have to deal with on a regular basis, and something everyone reading this is familiar with is the “Software License Agreement.” License agreements are the little modal boxes that appear when you open software for the first time. Or when boot your new phone for the first time. Your computer, tablet, TV… they’are all bound by license agreements.

My proposal is to tie a similar license agreement to the driver’s license. This license agreement could be updated whenever necessary to incorporate new technologies related to driving, tolling, and public safety. It would require that each licensee have a correct and current method of contact tied to their license (as is already required by law).

Every update to the physical license requires a new agreement. Get a new license? Change your address? Renew your license? Lose it? You must agree to the new terms. This would ensure that every US citizen would have to agree to the terms within the next 5 to 10 years.

Typically it’s incumbent upon the user to check the license agreement for changes periodically, but the grantor also sends update notifications via email, text message, or snail mail. In this case, media would most certainly cover changes. Each state office can issue updates via social media channels, or via a simple newsletter subscription.

Why on earth would I propose such a preposterous scenario? It’s simple. While most people are good honest law abiding citizens, there is an ever growing group of individuals that would follow the law to the T with a little more encouragement. States and municipalities have tried various versions of automating the law – red light cameras, speed traps (vans with speed sensitive cameras and measurement), and more.

If your state sees it fit to implement automated methods to ensure public safety, that could easily be incorporated into the agreement.

For example, all toll roads could become speed monitors. They know when you enter and when you leave each entrance and exit. This is a math problem. They already have the vehicle’s license plate, so tying this back to the licensed vehicle and its owner is simple. Other automated means of speed patrol could be implemented – autonomous drones, sign affixed apparatus, etc. If given a range of tolerance (+10%), this would be highly effective at deterring speeding.

Another item in the agreement is red light cameras, and other automated traffic safety items. Driving through a crosswalk when the pedestrian present notification lights are flashing, school zone infractions, passing on the right, trucks in the left lane on freeways, and the list goes on and on. All of these can be automated, and should be.

Imagine going through a toll booth, then hearing your favorite navigation app tell you that you’ve just earned a point on your license and a $75 bill from the state because your average speed between booths was more than 10% of the stated speed limit. That $75 would be charged directly to your toll bill. It’s simple.

This could be implemented in no time, and with a relatively small budget (that would pay for itself quickly), with a simple state issued Mandatory Driver’s License Agreement.

A state mandated license agreement could be updated when new technologies enter the market. For example, what needs to change when autonomous vehicles enter the retail landscape?

If you oppose this idea, I encourage you to take a step back and think about why. It will always come down to the law. Rules are made to be broken, laws are not. If you speed (like I do, mind you) then you’re knowingly and intentionally breaking the law. Any aversion to automated testing is a personal plea to allow you to break the law. I know for a fact that I’d speed less (I’ve already been far more aware, and try to stay under 10%).

Pedestrian safety is an issue that needs to be addressed, and current methods are falling short. We have the technology to solve this. And we should.

It seems we all have huge and ever growing to-do lists. We add things left and right, from paying the mortgage to picking up pickles at the grocery store. We get bogged down in the minutiae, often missing the most important thing on the list because something else always takes precedence. Sound familiar?

For many, getting started is the most challenging aspect. Check email, do the Facebook and Twitter. Check out Google Reader (yeah, maybe that last one is just me). But then it comes time for work. You know, work, the things that provide the income necessary to keep doing whatever it is we do. They're all to-dos, yes, but something will always be the most important.

The same holds true for our personal lives. If you exercise, then making sure you get the right amount of time in for the day may be the most important thing you're going to do.

The most important thing is going to vary widely per person, and per day, but the gist is there. There are always important things that we really need to do. It's that one, single most important thing – be it work or play – that when checked provides a sense of accomplishment.

Imagine if, of all of the things you'll do today, you always did the single most important thing on the list. Maybe a challenge – a public challenge would make it more fun. One really important thing per day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It doesn't sound like much, but it could add up!

Here's the proposal. At the beginning of every day (yes, seven days a week) we tweet the single most important to-do on the list for the day. A meeting, an action item, a ride, picking your child up from school, whatever – just tweet it. Add the hash tag #1onmylist – which of course means “number one on my list.” Then, once completed, follow up with a tweet that simply says “Got #1done!”

For example: ” I'll get billing done today. It's way over due. #1onmylist “

Then follow up with ” Got #1done! Billing sent. “

I encourage you to abstract the details: “Have to get the proposal for Whole Foods done by 3PM” becomes “Have to get a proposal done by 3PM.” Likewise, “Manipedi with David and Brad at TechStars” might just be “Manipedi.”

What do you think? Want to see where it goes? What's number one on your list today? Tweet it!

Last year I reserved 30 minutes on the schedule to solicit feedback on an idea for a startup (then called YourTuner). The idea was simple… stream podcasts in channels rather than a show at a time. About 15 people were in the room, and I received nothing great feedback. This is important for several reasons (not the least of which is that it's good for the ego). More importantly though, the idea was solid and well received. The people took time to give quality, constructive feedback!

It was so well received in fact, that Richard Jones chimed in after the session and said he wanted to build it. Here we are, a year later, on the verge of launching Callisto.fm, version two. A lot has changed with the concept, but the fundamentals are the same. Callsito has turned in to a fantastic product.

While all of this sounds a little self serving (Ok, there's a hint of that), the truth of the matter is that Podcamp is about the people. It's about the energy and ideas. It's about a lot more than just Podcasting. Sure, many of the attendees are the same people you see at other events… but I think that says more about how involved the community is in Boulder. We love to help.

I hosted four sessions this year, and all were well attended. The exchange of ideas and the atmosphere were amazing. All I can say is that next January, do everything in your power to attend. Even if you go just to meet people, you won't find a better group to meet.

Thanks again to Jeremy, and all of the wonderful sponsors. You did a fantastic job, and I can't recommend the event enough.

Callisto.fm
Podcamp Boulder

Advertising: I have never, and nor do I plan to as of this post, put ads in my Twitter stream. To me, inline (and certainly out of context) advertising has no place on Twitter by its users until there's an effective way to block it. It could be as simple as an understood #adv tag that can be easily filtered, though that's a topic for another post.

Affiliate links: I will occasionally post links to products I own and recommend. If I post a link to a product, it's because I've used it, own it, have watched it, listened to it, recommend it, or it's simply a great value. These links are likely to be affiliate links – you can trust me to do the right thing here, or not. It's up to you. I promise never to turn my stream in to a scrolling pitch.

Sharing: I run two software companies, host a few podcasts ( see msitarzewski.com for more on where to find me ), dabble in life technology consulting, listen to about 50 podcasts, and stay on top of about a thousand RSS titles a day (I read a relatively small percentage of those). There are many, many things that I'd like to share with you, and I think Twitter is the perfect place for it. I've been reluctant to share as much as I'd like, but that will change. Based on feedback, sharing is one of the reasons many of you follow me, so I hope you enjoy it.

Family: Occasionally I'll post about my wife ( @torreybelle ), my son !zion, or our family doings. While these may not be relevant to you, these types of tweets are relevant to a many that follow me.

Profanity: Twitter is a wonderful place to express yourself. Many people believe, as do I, that the Twitter “you” and the real “you” should be one in the same. In other words, don't filter your content, just be yourself. If you know me in person, and I'm comfortable with our relationship, I will use profanity in your presence. If people I don't know are focused on me (presentations, meetups, etc.), I don't use profanity at all. To me, this is where Twitter fits. If I use profanity, it'll most likely be in the form of a retweet (left in for context) or I will replace letters (sh*t). Never say never, but as a rule, I don't curse in my feed.

Cross-posting and third party apps: I have connected my Twitter account to my Facebook account. I did that because many of you are friends on Facebook, but don't use Twitter. If I hadn't made that connection, my Facebook status would never get updated. I will never have a third party service automatically tweet on my behalf unless I can control the frequency and content. For example, I can specify with Brightkite that I only want status updates and photos to go to Twitter, not every check in. Please, for the love of all things sacred, turn off your Foursquare and Gowalla updates. I really don't care. Oh yeah, this is about my use of Twitter, not yours.

Following: I believe that in order to achieve an honest relationship with the people I follow on Twitter, I have to be able to read every tweet they post. This has advantages in that it keeps the list of people I follow to about 250. Nothing personal is meant if I don't return your follow, or if I unfollow you. It's simply that I can't keep up with everything.

Unfollowing: There are no certain rules here, but here some reasons I might unfollow someone: spam, rants, game invitations, game stats, auto DMs welcoming my follow, idle account (45 days), irrelevant advertising, and excessive auto posts from third party apps.

Blocking: Obvious spam accounts will be blocked and reported as such.

Replying and DMs: Every @reply and direct message will be answered. This is the heart of Twitter, and I respect it greatly.

Emoticons: I'm old school and think that many of today's online confrontations could be avoided if emotion and intent were easily discernible. That is why I use and friends

What do you think? Was this helpful? Did you learn anything about me?

Imagine reading an article at BusinessWeek where a quote is given by Bill Gates. Wouldn't it be nice if you could select the quote, then tag the quote itself as a quote from Bill Gates? Then later, people looking for quotes from Bill Gates would see that quote.

Chris added that you could give the users of the site the ability to label the trust of the tags in a +/- format. A + indicates that the tags are correct, a minus that they're not. Obviously items with higher levels of integrity would float to the top.

Anyway, just a morning idea. More to come I'm sure.