Social contagion spreads behaviors and beliefs through networks following mathematical laws, from viral memes to mass panic. Understanding these mechanisms lets us recognize manipulation, harness contagion for good, and navigate information ecosystems designed to exploit our ancient social instincts.
Social contagion spreads through networks using the same mathematical principles as disease outbreaks, with network structure, centrality, and reinforcement thresholds determining which behaviors go viral and which fizzle out.
False information spreads six times faster than truth on social media due to a toxic combination of cognitive biases, algorithmic amplification, and economic incentives. Confirmation bias and emotional manipulation make our brains vulnerable to misinformation, while platform algorithms prioritize engagement over accuracy, creating echo chambers that reinforce false beliefs. Real-world case studies from COVID-19 and election disinformation reveal sophisticated tactics exploiting these vulnerab...
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