Imagine My Shock

[DISCLAIMER]

Photo credit (edited), fair use

I sometimes engage content on the social media platform Reddit, as an observer and not a participant, especially when honing my skills for practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). This is because there’s ample irrational belief material available on the platform.

Additionally, I’ve encouraged a number of the clients with whom I work to use content from Reddit as a means of practicing the ABC model and unconditional acceptance. Rare is the occasion during which one cannot discover some manner of self-disturbance on Reddit.

All the same, I maintain reservations about taking too seriously the information I encounter on the social platform. Providing justification for this stance, I stated in a blogpost entitled Destroying a Relationship:

I once suggested to a client that a significant amount of content I’ve observed on Reddit appears to be that related to psyops (psychological operations)—government use of a person or phenomenon to influence a population’s opinions and attitudes. Of course, this is conjecture.

I once worked adjacent to a United States Army psyops soldier and the tactics he deployed on the population of Peru echo sentiment I’ve witnessed on Reddit. Nevertheless, I enjoy surveying the social media platform, though I don’t feed the monkeys when at the proverbial circus.

Perhaps one may consider my view of Reddit as pertaining to little more than a so-called “conspiracy theory”—a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators and which is often kept from the public.

It’s important to note that in common parlance a “conspiracy” is merely the act of conspiring together, as “conspiring” relates to acting in harmony toward a common end. Colloquially, a “theory” is a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or investigation.

Even if my skepticism of Reddit content qualifies as an alleged “conspiracy theory,” by the definitional standards outlined herein, that doesn’t mean that my perception is inaccurate. Take for instance what one source states of Reddit and other social media platforms:

The Harris campaign’s strategies extend beyond X, targeting platforms like Reddit, TikTok, and Instagram. Using the Reach app, volunteers integrate pro-Harris memes, videos, and other content into their personal accounts, amplifying the campaign’s digital presence. On Reddit, the campaign is reportedly effective at manipulating the algorithm to promote favorable posts and sustain a pro-Harris narrative.

Do you recall the whole “brat summer” shtick used by the Harris campaign? It was arguably a form of social media manipulation—to change by artful or unfair means so as to serve one’s purpose. I still look back at Reddit posts which promoted that nonsense and laugh.

In any case, given my level of skepticism regarding much (though not all) of the content on Reddit, imagine my shock to have discovered that recent research has demonstrated how gullible…er…open to influence redditors (people with active profiles on Reddit) actually are.

Per one source, “Researchers from the University of Zurich have admitted to secretly posting AI [artificial intelligence]-generated material to popular Subreddit r/changemyview in the name of science,” and, “It’s widely assumed that all sorts of actors are using AI to generate content that advances their agendas.”

It’s no matter of assumption at this point, regarding the manipulative attempts to influence people on Reddit, as I’ve cited evidence herein. Evidently, the researchers knew well the various personality types to whom they appealed – which raises questions of confirmation bias.

For instance, one source reports, “User accounts created to post AI-generated content posed as a victim of rape, a trauma counselor specializing in abuse, a black man opposed to Black Lives Matter, among other personas, according to the moderators’ post.”

People who’ve spent relatively five minutes on Reddit likely understand that topics of the AI accounts is the sort of content that generates many responses on Reddit which are irrational (not in accordance with both logic and reason). The platform is a treasure trove of delusional content.

A separate source states, “According to the study documents, the results showed a clear advantage for AI over human users on the platform. The AI bots achieved persuasion rates three to six times higher than the human baseline of about three percent.”

Imagine my shock (sarcasm; /s)! Francesco Landini, the born blind Florentine composer, poet, organist, singer, and instrument maker from the 14th century could’ve seen this coming! What’s next, a study about how pain hurts? Regarding the controversial Reddit study, one source reports:

Reddit also pushed back by locking up the affected accounts, violating its Terms of Service. Nonetheless, some comments were archived using Archive.today, which provided an eye-opening glance into how refined and misleading the AI-generated content had grown.

While many people are tying themselves into proverbial knots while using rationalization in regard to their hallowed social media platform and how it’s ackchyually a source of valid and reliable information (trust me, bro), I’m thoroughly enjoying the display of irrationality.

After all, I’m altogether un-disturbed by this matter. For context, consider what I stated in a blogpost entitled Echo Chamber:

Fighting the influence that a Reddit echo chamber has on you begins with taking personal responsibility and accountability [collectively “ownership”] for your own use of its social media algorithm. For instance, you aren’t a victim of Reddit or the type of content with which you choose to engage.

If your metaphorical ears are ringing from the proverbial echoing of a Reddit echo chamber, then I encourage you to take personal ownership for the information to which you expose yourself and the sources from which it comes. Admittedly, cognitive dissonance is uncomfortable.

Nevertheless, you and only you own the reaction you have to an undesirable (though let’s face it, somewhat predictable in this case) circumstance. If you were duped by AI on Reddit, maybe it’s time to start thinking critically. Besides, this isn’t shocking at all. It’s the stuff of psyops (obvi).

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

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