This concept is already well known on the Internet. Writer Eli Pariser has theorized what he calls “filter bubbles”. Clearly, this is a human phenomenon, but amplified tenfold by social media algorithms, which means we tend to reach out to people or content that matches our vision of the world. This can lead to sad consequences, especially at the political and democratic level, when anyone who thinks differently from us becomes an adversary or even an enemy. Discussions and compromises become increasingly difficult, and debates quickly become heated.
Heading for “tribalization” web ?
Recently, Najmeh Khalili-Mahani, a researcher at Concordia University in Montreal, published a very interesting article in The Conversation online media. It seemed important to us to present his ideas to you car they extend this analysis to include the last two years. According to the scientist, the health crisis has indeed caused a change in the way we interact online. While she was working on the effects of social media on stress, the author was able to notice real changes and what she calls “tribalization.” In particular, Internet users tend to avoid sensational and political content,on can often be found on Facebook or Twitter. This includes challenging (or approving) a vaccination or wearing a mask. Escaping these controversies, they find refuge in means of exchange such as WhatsApp groups, Telegram, or video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, where they can find their family and/or people from their community. In other words, Internet users who think like them and create the feeling of a protective cocoon. face to a world perceived as being in crisis. Najmeh Khalili-Mahani rightly analyzes the launch of Truth Social by former US President Donald Trump as part of this phenomenon. Believing that his opinions are being censored by the giants of the web, the billionaire has created son own network social where his conservative (and conspiratorial) views will remain uncensored.
