Do you ever wondered why we sometimes just go along with what the media tells us? Noam Chomsky and Edward Herman’s Manufacturing Consent breaks it down, showing how media system are designed to shape public opinion in favor of those in power. But here’s the thing-it’s not just the media pulling the strings. Our own mental shortcuts, or cognitive biases, play a big part in making ys more likely to accept these narratives without a second thought.
Cognitive Biases: The Brain’s Filters
Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts our brains use to process informations quickly, often leading to errors in judgement. These biases are not all bad-they help us process the endless flood of information we face every day. But here’s the problem; when the media taps into these biases, it can make us much easier to manipulate.
In Manufacturing Consent, Chomsky and Herman talk about external filters that shape what we believe. Cognitive biases act like internal filters, quietly working alongside the media to influence how we see the world.
Seeing What We Want to See
Noticing how we tend to stick with information that matches what we already believe, that’s confirmation bias in action. Media systems are great at taking advantage of this by feeding us content tailored to our preferences, so we already come across ideas that challenge our views.
Making Big Issues Feel Simple
Here’s another trick our brains play on us: we judge how common or likely something is based on how easily we can think of examples. The media knows this, and it works by highlighting certain stories over and over while ignoring others. The results? Our perception of reality gets skewed.
Groupthink
Groupthink happens when people in a group prioritize harmony over making good decisions. In today’s online world, who chambers and filter bubbles make this even worse. When we’re surrounded by people who think like us, we feel pressure to conform and go along with the majority.
How Media Supercharges Our Biases
The media doesn’t just tap into our biases-it amplifies them with modern technology. Social media platforms designed to keep us engaged. How? By pushing emotionally charged or divisive content, which feeds our confirmation bias and availability heuristic.
