Written by In the recording of music a feedback loop is a sound production technique used to enhance the listener’s experience with a delay and/or echo effect on a particular signal such as a guitar or voice track. From my experience in the “old school” analogue days this was achieved by sending a signal from the playback head of a recorder back to the record head causing a record/playback/record feedback loop. The signal can be manipulated to bring more delay and echo to the point of overload creating an unpleasant distortion of the effect. These days there is digital outboard gear that can duplicate the effect. But either way, the more the signal is amplified, the more distortion and/or noise is produced.
Today’s social media platforms (Tik Tok, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and news feeds and even some educators will use this same principle of feedback loop to distort content in order to influence public opinion and social change. We are all subject to a seemingly endless stream of “information,” most of it half-truths or worse, lies. In this bizarre social experiment, social influencers and content creators are seeking to evoke fear to polarize, separate and enrage people affecting the way we relate to one another. Social researchers note that anger is really the emotional response to fear (NIH). Not so surprisingly, we have all observed elevated levels of anxiety, division, outrage and anger in this current climate.
It is within the intersectional ethos of conflicting values we experience our true selves. Some people will shut down and retreat into their familiar filter bubbles or, echo chambers while others will be more reflective and engaged, seeking to understand these diverging worldviews (attitudes and values) as learners and not as knowers. By stepping into this “epistemic gap” we can work through the dissonance, begin to depolarize and rediscover common-core values. Still many will merely demean, blame and shame the “other’s” perspectives and transfer their fears and anger onto their family members, friends and associates that do not agree with their point of view. Facts they shout… The fact is… I would argue that we can no longer trust statistics. It is sad but more true that many researchers routinely publish biased misinformation. Yes, there is a overwhelming volume of research bias in the Academy where researchers tend to find what they are looking for. Not so surprising that these same researchers will tend to censor and silence alternative evidence-based positions or, refer to certain set of facts as conspiracy theories. However, when the truth is eventually exposed, “they” will unapologetically acquiesce and amend the data. But the damage has already been done. The misinformation has been copied and reposted millions of times.
I have to question; Why does there appear to be so much existential despair? Why do some feel as though our world is spinning out of control? I believe we have been lied to for so long, we struggle to define truth. What is truth? How do we know what we know?
There is a saying attributed to Mark Twain, “it ain’t what you don’t know that makes you ignorant, it’s what you think you know for sure that just ain’t so.” We have been fed a feedback loop diet of contentious lies for decades. The question is, how do we discern reality from irrational unreality? How do we navigate these dark times of uncertainty “where absolute truth and values have gone out the window” (Lewis, C. S., The Abolition of Man; Wright, R., The Moral Animal)? Simply put, I believe social influencers and some nefarious unidentified bad actors as well as, “useful idiots” are intentionally and unintentionally generating false information in some instances unwittingly using AI to amplify and distort reality. The result is a feedback loop echo chamber that divides and separates family, friends and neighbors.
I’m going to suggest instead of copying and pasting spent and debunked ideas, write an original thoughtful post. Perhaps share how you feel, what you think, and how you are coping with the flood of misinformation. How do you discern truth from fiction? Perhaps even get off the platforms and back into the coffee shops where we can look each other in the eyes. Be kind and reach out to friends with differing viewpoints. I continue to meet with friends with diverse perspectives and have found listening helps build trust and restores a space for common-core values which inspires a more respectful and positive relationship to grow and flourish. I find that tolerating differences and offering support for sharing personal struggles has had a positive effect on my friends and my own emotional and spiritual health. Remember when tolerance was a virtue? Focus on virtue and common-core values. Get off the feedback loop merry-go-round and seek the truth with grace.