″...In many cases, false or misleading information is better viewed as a symptom of societal pathologies such as institutional distrust, political sectarianism, and anti-establishment worldviews.
Perhaps, in many cases, these “societal pathologies” are better viewed as symptoms of deeper pathologies, such as untrustworthy institutions, mainstream parties acting as sects competing for power, and corrupt establishment worldviews.
“The causes of this distrust are complex and diverse. They include psychological traits that predispose some people towards paranoid worldviews; institutional failures, such as telling noble lies to manage public behaviour and dismissing legitimate ideas as conspiracy theories; and feelings—often justified—of exclusion from positions of power and influence.”
Perhaps, in many cases, these “societal pathologies” are better viewed as symptoms of deeper pathologies, such as untrustworthy institutions, mainstream parties acting as sects competing for power, and corrupt establishment worldviews.
Yes, exactly. From a bit later in the article:
“The causes of this distrust are complex and diverse. They include psychological traits that predispose some people towards paranoid worldviews; institutional failures, such as telling noble lies to manage public behaviour and dismissing legitimate ideas as conspiracy theories; and feelings—often justified—of exclusion from positions of power and influence.”