Filter Bubbles, Epistemic Bubbles and Echo Chambers Distort the reality of the world

Echo chambers, filter bubbles, and epistemic bubbles are confusing concepts and are often conflated, but they are distinct concepts.

Filter Bubbles

A filter bubble is a term used to describe the phenomenon of intellectual isolation that occurs when websites use algorithms to selectively present information to us based on their past behavior, such as their click behavior, browsing history, search history, and location. The algorithm makes assumptions about what information we would be interested in and then presents that information to us accordingly.

While this may seem convenient, it can lead to a filter bubble, where we are only exposed to information that aligns with our past activity and may not encounter opposing viewpoints. This can result in a narrow perspective and intellectual isolation, where we are less likely to be exposed to new ideas and diverse perspectives.

Two prime examples of this phenomenon are personalized search results from Google and personalized news streams from Facebook. These platforms use algorithms to tailor content to us as individuals, which can result in a filter bubble where we only see information confirming our beliefs and values. This can be problematic, as it may lead to a lack of critical thinking and an inability to consider different viewpoints.

Epistemic Bubbles

An epistemic bubble is a phenomenon where we fail to access relevant information sources either intentionally or unintentionally. It differs from a filter bubble where information does not reach us through no fault of our own.

Examples of epistemic bubbles include where we deliberately block, unfriend, or disconnect people on social media who hold opposing views or only subscribe to news channels or blogs that confirm our existing beliefs.

In a non-Internet environment, an epistemic bubble is created if we lack access to a broad range of information or purposefully restrict our access to only specific information sources. Furthermore, it is exacerbated when we only mix with people of similar backgrounds and views.

Echo Chambers

In everyday language, an echo chamber is often conflated with a filter bubble (as in the video above). But in academic circles, an echo chamber is a different concept altogether.

An echo chamber describes a situation where voices are actively excluded and discredited. It depends on manipulating trust by methodically discrediting people and sources of information outside of the chamber.

This is summarized quite nicely:

Filter bubbles: where you don’t hear the other side.

Echo Chambers: where you don’t trust the other side.

Credit: C. Thi Nguyen

Popping our bubbles

Resources

• Farnham Street: How Filter Bubbles Distort Reality: Everything You Need to Know
• Article: The devastating impact of “filter bubbles” and how to break free
• Reuters Institute: The truth behind filter bubbles: Bursting some myths

Detailed Resources

• Big Think: Humanity solved the “trust paradox” by going tribal — and paid a horrific price by David R. Samson (2023)
• Blog Post: Human Systems Are Almost Always Based On Trust by Dave Pollard (2023)
• HBR: Rethinking Trust by Roderick M. Kramer (2009)

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