# Wiki Tutorial ### Agnotology and Epistemological Fragmentation "Slowly, and systematically, a virus has spread, using technology to systematically tear at the social fabric of public life," Danah Boyd, the founder, and president of Data & Society, states in her speech at the Digital Public Library of America conference (DPLAfest). She argues that while ignorance is often thought to be a product of not-knowing it can actually be "strategically manufactured". She also states that agnotology, the study of culturally-induced ignorance or doubt, is a "tool of oppression by the powerful." Due to the rapid growth and limited regulations on the media we consume today, it is common for people with questions to get "lost" on the internet. Boyd uses the example of Christchurch to demonstrate how media could be manipulated. The terrorist behind it "titled his manifesto with a well-known white nationalist call sign, knowing that the news media would cover the name of the manifesto, which in turn, would prompt people to search for that concept," and therefore be exposed to anti-semitic and white nationalist ideas. Through this, she explains how the push towards technology could become political or could have deep-rooted and long-lasting effects on future generations. ![](https://i.imgur.com/tJMW0TI.png) This concept is fundamental for us to understand as consumers of the media. Epistemology describes how we know what we know, and therefore it is important that we are made aware of how to carefully interpret the information that is being fed to us on a daily basis. I have taken classes in the past with the purpose of educating us on digital literacy and how to navigate the internet in a safe way. With this background, I feel more comfortable in my online interactions, yet it is not the case that everyone has had this basic training which is essential to acknowledge. Boyd concludes by stating that just because accurate information exists, that does not mean that people will find it. This is the case and it once again reinforces how dangerous agnotology can be when misinformed.