From: Scientific American
Misinformation Really Does Spread like a Virus, Epidemiology Shows
November 7, 2024
We’re increasingly aware of how misinformation can influence elections. About 73% of Americans report seeing misleading election news, and about half struggle to discern what is true or false.
When it comes to misinformation, “going viral” appears to be more than a simple catchphrase. Scientists have found a close analogy between the spread of misinformation and the spread of viruses. In fact, how misinformation gets around can be effectively described using mathematical models designed to simulate the spread of pathogens.
Concerns about misinformation are widely held, with a recent UN survey suggesting that 85% of people worldwide are worried about it.
Read the whole story (subscription may be required): Scientific American
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