Sophie Koko Gate animates the confirmation bias encouraged by the internet

Date
8 June 2017

Sophie Koko Gate has completed a new animation for the Royal Society of Arts depicting how society is often trapped “in an online echo chamber,” titled Why we’re convinced we’re right (and everyone else is wrong.

Extracted from a talk by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt at the RSA in early 2017, Sophie’s animations illustrate his question: “Society is becoming ever more divided as we seek out information that reinforces our views – but how do we avoid ending up dogmatic and entrenched?”

As Jonathan relays the views of both left and right leaning individuals he follows on social media Sophie’s animations demonstrate how the internet is “the biggest gift of confirmation bias ever”. The animator’s interpretation of Jonathan’s speech depicts the psychologist’s personal example of confirmation bias, but in a way that is understandable to all. Such as illustrating “does pizza increase libido?” to showcase the ridiculous questions we ask the internet in hope of answers and “having humility when it comes to politics”.

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Sophie Koko Gate

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Sophie Koko Gate

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Sophie Koko Gate

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Sophie Koko Gate

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Sophie Koko Gate

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Sophie Koko Gate

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Sophie Koko Gate: Works in progress

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Sophie Koko Gate: Works in progress

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Sophie Koko Gate: Works in progress

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Sophie Koko Gate: Works in progress

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About the Author

Lucy Bourton

Lucy (she/her) is the senior editor at Insights, a research-driven department with It's Nice That. Get in contact with her for potential Insights collaborations or to discuss Insights' fortnightly column, POV. Lucy has been a part of the team at It's Nice That since 2016, first joining as a staff writer after graduating from Chelsea College of Art with a degree in Graphic Design Communication.

lb@itsnicethat.com

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