---
# System prepended metadata

title: Wiki Assignment

---

# Wiki Assignment

## What Was the Article About?
In [Agnotology and Epistemological Fragmentation](https://points.datasociety.net/agnotology-and-epistemological-fragmentation-56aa3c509c6b), Danah Boyd discusses how social media and online platforms can be manipulated to display groups' and individuals' viewpoints rather than factual information. She begins by introducing how the way the internet and media are structured facilitates agnotology, "the strategic and purposeful production of ignorance" (Boyd 2019). She cites the example of the ChristChurch terrorist, and how he was so easily able to exploit the vulnerabilities of both news and social media in order to spread his white supremacist beliefs. From this extreme and horrific act to more day-to-day spreading of hatred, in ways less outright and extreme, the internet provides a place for conspiracy theories to flourish and agnotology to thrive.

![](https://i.imgur.com/Dr8x7S4.jpg)
Getty Images


Additionally, Boyd goes into how agnotology can be spread by the purposeful manipulation of algorithms. She references how the first result (and still currently second) for a search for social justice is a [video by PragerU](https://youtu.be/rtBvQj2k6xo), a conservative organization committed to reducing "leftist" ideas taught at colleges.

This source provides false information and controversial ideas on what social justice entails, and can lead to further radical rabbit holes. Additionally, she references how people have trained YouTube to suggest anti-vax videos alongside CDC information videos about Covid-19 vaccines. This behavior can stem from bots, trolls, and haters vying to spread misinformation, but can also come from "reliable" media, journalists, and the government itself. 



## What Did I Take Away From This?

This reading was a reminder to me about how vast and deep of a place the internet is, but also how dangerous it can be. I had never really thought about how ignorance can be fostered by the culture of internet media itself, but it makes a lot of sense. There is so much information swirling around on the internet, and so many different sources, that internet users (particularly inexperienced ones such as myself) can be easily susceptible to believing a source that spreads misinformation, conspiracy theories, or even hate - especially if it looks professional. 21st century society is so fast-paced, so on the go, that the average person may encounter information and accept it without thoroughly, or even lightly, thinking about its reliability. Boyd references librarians, and how she admires their drive to make the internet as safe and relaible of a place for information as physical libraries are. Though it may take a while to change society, I believe that some solutions can be found in:
1. Educating youth - particularly middle schoolers and high schoolers - on the importance of credible information.
2. Encouraging people and society to slow down and think about what information they consume.
3. Evaluating news media, social media, and government on the truthfulness of information being shared.

The internet really needs a reboot. As wonderful of a resource it is, however much it connects people and provides a plethora of resources to those who had previously not had access, it can be a dangerous place. I hope that media and users can all take accountability and use the internet responsibly so as to value truth and fairness over ignorance and personal gain.