Deep Dive: Can Our Democracy Survive the Internet?
Setup
The 2016 presidential campaign broke down previously established rules and distinctions between insiders and outsiders and various types of media — all accelerated by the Internet. The velocity of information and viral communication can create dysfunction in campaigns and within democracy. And for a relatively small investment in resources, a country's media can be infiltrated by bots, trolls, hackers and leakers, often without much concrete evidence connecting the attack to the state sponsor. How do we fight information attacks? How do we repair polarization created by the Internet? One of the major criticisms of how the Internet has shaped democracy is its tendency to polarize public opinion. Is online filtering pushing us into "filter bubbles" and echo chambers? If so, can we solve the problem or is it a structural issue of online discourse that we have to adapt to?
- 2017 Festival
- Technology
Explore More
Technology
With many students returning to school from the comfort of their living rooms, educators are using this unique period to address long-standing problems of equity.
The reality of educating children during a pandemic can be overwhelming. Learn how educators and policymakers are working to ensure every child is digitally connected.
Tech tools that can keep students engaged and help guard against learning loss are suddenly front and center.
Time on your hands? Looking to escape into learning? Dive deeply into a broad array of topics from Aspen Ideas. Discover how soul music became a soundtrack to some of our nati...
A changing climate means a changing diet.
New technologies in 2020 may demand more of our already overloaded attention. Tech titans and communications companies are releasing advances like 5G and quantum computing tha...