🔮 The root of riots; AI‘s climate costs; AGI; the last ICE & bronze age tech ++ #486

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Ideas of the week

Misinformation and disinformation: Agents of chaos. The UK witnessed violent, far-right riots across the country this week. It all started with an unfounded rumour on social media. Obscure news sites sought to legitimise the rumour, before it was amplified by far-right activists, bot networks (likely of Russian origin) and crossed over into the mainstream and onto the streets. And of course, X’s top user (and owner) weighed in unhelpfully and inaccurately.

Misinformation is a complex issue, often concentrated on the fringes. While confirmation bias plays a role, belief in misinformation varies. I see misinformation as a multi-headed problem, and the platforms are only one part of it. The business model of the internet doesn’t help. Advertising funds regur…