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We Are Beset With Conspiracy Theories. Here’s Why And How To Fix It.
We need to learn how to rebuild trust, even with our enemies and the best — perhaps the only way — to do that is by focusing on shared values. We might, for example, disagree on exactly how our criminal justice system should function, but we can all agree that everyone has the right to live in a safe community. We may not agree on the specifics of a “Green New Deal,” but can all see the importance of investing in our rural communities and small towns.
Most of all, we need to rebuild a sense of connection. Fortunately, network science tells us that it takes relatively few connections to drastically reduce social distance. Trust is personal, not political. It can’t be legislated or mandated but arises out of shared experience that contributes to the collective well being. Like our mail carriers, our institutions must be seen to be competently serving us and having our well-being in mind.
In the final analysis, our problem is not one of information, but that of basic good will. The antidote is not stronger arguments, but more dedicated and capable public service.
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If you think about it, postal carriers should be a little bit creepy. If someone told you that an agent of the federal government would come to your house everyday with access to information…
