[ mslm dvlpmnt ]

I like to think that I actually know a lot about social media. Or about human behaviour on the internet in general. Because I started socializing on the web, when there was no social media yet, when a few nerds had blogs. And even before that, when there was no open source blog software, we were hanging out in NNTP newsgroups.

And I actually entered the field of user interfaces, design and development via a field that was named ‘human computer interaction’ (HCI) in the 90’s which has its roots in airplane cockpit design. You know, arranging buttons and indicators so that they are easiest for the pilot to understand and use under stress.

But I still don’t understand one phenomenon:

Why do some thoughtlessly, simply blurted out posts make more numbers than some well thought out, meticulously researched posts?

Now that we have AI, I simply asked ChatGPT and Bard.

Here’s the prompt: “There is a phenomenon on social media, which has a certain name, which I can’t recall. Maybe you can help me out. It’s when thoughtlessly, simply blurted out posts make more numbers than some well thought out, meticulously researched posts. How is this called? There is a special name for that.”

ChatGPT’s answer:

The phenomenon you’re referring to is often called the “Dunning-Kruger effect” or, more specifically, a manifestation of it on social media. The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which people with low ability at a task tend to overestimate their ability, while those with high ability tend to underestimate their ability. In the context of social media, it can lead to situations where poorly thought out or inaccurate posts gain more attention and engagement than well-researched and informative posts. This can happen because those with lower competence in a given subject may be more confident in sharing their opinions, while experts may be more cautious and reserved in their communications.

ChatGPT

Bard’s answer:

The phenomenon you are describing is called low-effort posting. It is a type of social media content that is created and shared without much thought or effort. This can include things like memes, reaction images, and short, uninformative posts. Low-effort posting is often more popular than well-thought-out, meticulously researched posts because it is more relatable and easier to consume. People are more likely to share and engage with content that they can quickly understand and relate to, even if it is not particularly informative or original.

There are a few reasons why low-effort posting is so popular. First, it is easy to do. Anyone can create a meme or reaction image with just a few clicks. This makes it a more accessible form of content creation than writing a well-researched article or blog post. Second, low-effort posting is often more relatable. People are more likely to engage with content that they can see themselves sharing with their friends and family. Memes and reaction images are often funny or relatable, which makes them more likely to be shared. Finally, low-effort posting is easier to consume. People are more likely to read and engage with short, simple posts than with long, complex ones. This is especially true on social media platforms where people are constantly bombarded with new content.

While low-effort posting can be a fun and harmless way to connect with friends and family, it is important to be aware of the potential downsides. Low-effort posting can lead to the spread of misinformation and disinformation. It can also contribute to a culture of shallowness and superficiality. It is important to be critical of the content you consume and to share only the content that you believe is valuable and informative.

Here are some tips for avoiding low-effort posting:

Take the time to think about what you want to say before you post it.
Make sure your posts are informative and original.
Avoid sharing posts that are simply memes, reaction images, or uninformative rants.
Cite your sources and link to other relevant content.
Proofread your posts before you publish them.

By following these tips, you can help to create a more informed and engaged social media community.

Google Bard

And what can I say … both sound pretty accurate.