Bias and the Web

According to the website http:www.neohumanism.org, bias is a “prejudice in a general or specific sense, usually in the sense for having a predilection to one particular view or ideology. One is said to be biased if one is influenced by one's biases. A bias could, for example, lead one to accept or non-accept the truth of a claim, not because of the strength of the claim itself, but because it does or does not correspond to one's own preconceived ideas.” Can this definition be trusted? After all, found in its URL is .org, seemingly trustworthy. The only way to be sure is to compare or cross reference the definition. Another definition comes from an article published in the New Century Handbook, “Examples of Biased Writing,” which according to Linda Gorman, bias is “a subtle a lack of neutrality you have towards a topic. It can come in many forms, including a bias toward sexual orientation, gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or religion.” (”Examples of Biased Writing.” ABLongman.com. 2005. http://wps.ablongman.com/long_hult_nch.html). Since both definitions seem to be from a reliable source, a consistent definition for the term has been determined. However, the definition exercise could have been quite lengthy if not for the internet and its vast capabilities.

Still, the immense capability of the internet also creates a real problem, the propagation of personal and institutional bias. We all know that anyone can post anything, almost anywhere at any time. So wherein is the problem? The quandary is not that many choose to use the web as their soapbox, diary, business, etc. Nor is the real concern the fact that the web has no rules or oversight, which means no content regulation. If regulation did exist, who would regulate the internet? Who would choose the regulators? What problems would regulation bring to a society that has free speech as one of its core beliefs? The web offers the ultimate vehicle for free speech; as a result, bias is rampant and inevitable. Individuals, agencies, government officials, educators, politicians, and “wannabes” in every form all post their opinions and the rationalizations can be quite convincing. Bias is inherent in all of us. There is no escape from bias, misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda as long as the web offers a practically effortless way for personal opinions to be delivered to a mass audience, instantaneously. The problem of bias and the web stems from people’s willingness to believe something, just because the source seems credible.

As individuals, we represent the sum of our influences and experiences whether genetic (nurture) or social (environment). Not to start a debate on nature v. nurture, nevertheless, we all bring fixed attitudes and expectations based on our individual and collective history. Since we all possess many biases as a result of our particular experiences, overcoming “tunnel-vision” thinking requires thinking differently. While there is no way to completely eliminate personal bias, tools and resources exist to expand the ability to think critically. The key is developing an awareness of the bias baggage we carry; knowing the predisposition of humans to see what we expect can lead to understand the need to think critically, asses our own bias, questions ourselves and others, and not accept an idea at “face value” but instead develop the tools to avoid the blindness of our own comfortable rut. Resources found as a result of the “bias” assignment includes:

1. Techniques for Evaluating websites: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate
2. Determining web links: http://www.alexa.com/
3. How to avoid bias in your writing (from Guidelines for Removing Racial/Ethnic Biases in Writing.” http://www.apastyle.org/race.html

Overall, “All information, whether in print or by byte, needs to be evaluated by readers for authority, appropriateness, and other personal criteria for value. If you find information that is "too good to be true", it probably is. Never use information that you cannot verify. Establishing and learning criteria to filter information you find on the Internet is a good beginning for becoming a critical consumer of information in all forms. ‘Cast a cold eye’ (as Yeats wrote) on everything you read. Question it. Look for other sources that can authenticate or corroborate what you find.” (http://www.searchengineshowdown.com/). Question always, learn what sources can be trusted, never become too complacent, and communicate with others you trust. If you can’t find the author or the reason for the message, then the message is questionable.