DL 350

Online Murmurations

Welcome back. Here's Digitally Literate, issue #350.

🔖 Key Takeaways

📚 This Week’s Highlights

This short film by Jan van IJken captures starlings gathering at dusk in the Netherlands, highlighting their breathtaking murmuration.

Derek Thompson discusses the polarization of education and the dedication of teachers despite the challenges they face.
Why this matters: Understanding educators’ perspectives can help bridge the gap between public perception and reality.

3. The High Cost of Living Your Life Online

Thor Benson delves into how constant online interactions shape our sense of self and erode privacy.
Why this matters: Your virtual identity is increasingly vulnerable as it exists beyond your control.

Renée DiResta explores how social media behavior mirrors murmuration in nature, with humans coordinating without hierarchical direction.
Why this matters: Recognizing these patterns can help us navigate the dynamics of online activism and harassment.

A case study in how misinformation spreads from the fringes to the mainstream, amplified by political figures and social platforms.
Why this matters: Misinformation undermines trust in institutions and fuels polarization.

Eugen Rochko shares his vision for Mastodon as a decentralized alternative to Twitter, offering users more control over their online spaces.
Here’s a guide to joining the network.

🛠️ DO: Break Free from the Default Effect

A fundamental human tendency is to prefer the default option when presented with choices. This “default effect” can be overcome by:

Learn more here.

🌟 Closing Reflection

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
— Robert Frost

Reflect and Engage

Thank you for reading Digitally Literate. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions. Connect with me at hello@digitallyliterate.net or explore Newsletter Index for all past issues.