The Empire of Beliefs and Digital Worlds : What Does Contemporary Science Say?

Abstract

Many international institutions are looking into the danger presented by false information, particularly for democracies. An abundant body of scientific literature has been addressing this problem for just under a decade. This article sets out, first, to review the state of the art on this subject, highlighting the specific features of the contemporary cognitive market. While rumours, conspiracy theories and so on are the sea serpents of the human imagination, our contemporary world is giving these forms of credulity renewed vitality. The aim is also to shed light on the situation today by taking an analytical approach to some of the most important mechanisms involved (superspreaders, data voids, “mille feuilles” arguments that are resistant to contradiction, etc.).