Çağrı Mert Bakırcı: Populism feeds on the most natural qualities of being human

Evrim Ağacı founder Çağrı Mert Bakırcı evaluated the effects of social media on public debate and thinking patterns, as well as the link between the attention economy and populism, in an interview with Medyascope.

Social Media and Information Consumption

Evrim Ağacı founder Çağrı Mert Bakırcı stated that easy access to information is often confused with deep understanding. Emphasizing that social media weakens the capacity for collective decision-making, Bakırcı referenced Herbert Simon's 1971 observation on the abundance of information and scarcity of attention. He stated that quality education and living conditions that allow time for thinking are essential for a conscious society.

Algorithms and the Public Sphere

Stating that algorithms have changed the relationship between visibility and truth, Bakırcı noted that systems prioritize anger and conflict for the sake of engagement. Pointing out that research yields mixed results, the expert stated that the effects of algorithmic feeds on polarization are not yet fully understood.

The Transformation of Intellectual Authority

Evaluating claims that public intellectuals have lost their authority, Bakırcı said the real problem is the fragmentation of the ground upon which authority is established. He noted that common evaluation criteria have weakened due to diverse information sources and affiliations, and that the intellectual authority of the future will carry a greater burden of accountability.

Populism and Human Nature

Stating that the rise of populism must be considered alongside the communication order, Bakırcı expressed that this trend offers simple solutions to complex problems. Emphasizing that populism feeds on the most natural qualities of being human, Bakırcı noted that it gives people both an explanation and a sense of belonging.