Russia merely exploited the reality that people are likely to believe anything they read online. Combine this with confirmation bias and Russia really didn't have to do much to sway the election. This may ruffle feathers. I DO blame Russia for their actions but I can't blame Russia for the outcome because we as a people were already primed to be manipulated and duped.
Again, the problem comes down to confirmation bias and the internet has made it very easy to obtain information which validates one's notions and opinions without critical thought. Social media has only made it more convenient to find others with similar ideas and opinions. It perpetuates group think which only generates more the same information exponentially. This is done without the need for bots or troll farms... they are just faster. People fell for the trolls because the information they posted was ALREADY BELIEVED. It just needed validation. Hell, we remove troll farms from the equation and we have many examples where the group think collective perpetuate false narratives and inaccurate information. In the past we didn't even need the internet: stranger danger, poisoned Halloween candy, satanic ritual murder, 1980s daycare hysteria. In the daycare hysteria actual innocent people were sacrificed and ruined because the information was believed without a moment of doubt or consideration otherwise. No fact, information or evidence to the contrary was going to sway opinion. Mass hysteria is most certainly group think.
Thinking critically is unnecessary when group think can provide all the answers and make decisions. Unless one actively challenges opinions and holds them up to scrutiny, critical thought doesn't exist and that validation must come from external sources outside of normal channels of information. Sadly, in today's world it can be difficult determining which is reliable. That too I do blame on trolls because again, people believe what they read on the internet.
Do a search on "people believe what they read on the internet" Numerous results will hit with many published prior to the 2016 election.
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