(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — You might not believe you’re being influenced by television and social media algorithms. In fact, you may even feel a slight surge of anger at the suggestion that large corporations could be manipulating what you think and believe. But ask yourself this: what would make an otherwise, normal, good natured person hate a Simi Valley candidate for Mayor, School Board or Park District? How is an emotion of ‘hate’ towards a political candidate even possible within an otherwise kind, rational, clear-thinking individual – such as yourself?
The frustration you feel right now, and the impulse to click away or leave a negative comment about this article, isn’t just a coincidence. It’s part of the very manipulation we are talking about. And that’s what makes this topic so interesting: the idea that our emotions and opinions might be shaped by unseen forces is rather unsettling.
Fear and Division in the Media: What’s Really Happening?
Media companies profit by keeping us engaged, and the easiest way to do that is through fear and outrage. Whether you’re watching a left-leaning news outlet like MSNBC or a conservative source like Fox News, chances are you’ve noticed how extreme recent headlines have become. And there’s a reason for this: sensationalism works! The more alarming the story, the more likely you are to stay tuned in.
According to a Pew Research Center study, Americans are increasingly getting their news from sources that align with their preexisting beliefs, creating echo chambers that reinforce fears and deepen divisions (Pew Research Center, “U.S. Media Polarization and the 2020 Election”). The result? We feel more entrenched in our views and more defensive when they’re challenged. This happens across the political spectrum. Right-leaning outlets may focus on fears of government overreach, while left-leaning outlets may emphasize social justice or environmental crises. The goal is the same: to keep you watching, reading, and reacting.
Berkeley News points out that disinformation and fear-driven reporting aren’t just trends—they’re part of a larger shift toward profit-based journalism, where emotionally charged stories drive engagement and revenue (“Disinformation is Breaking Democracy”, Berkeley News). And the more extreme the story, the more invested we become, sometimes without realizing we’re being manipulated.
How Clair.ID is Part of This Dynamic
At Clair.ID, we generally focus on the positive aspects of life in Simi Valley, highlighting the community’s achievements and promoting local businesses. However, we’re not entirely blameless when it comes to crafting headlines that engage our audience. We understand that like any media outlet, we need to capture attention, and our headlines are often designed to resonate with the interests of our readers.
The Hidden Role of Algorithms: Why You’re Only Seeing What You Agree With
Even if you think you’re avoiding media manipulation, the algorithms on social media are probably affecting you more than you think. Facebook, YouTube, Instagram—they all use algorithms designed to keep you on their platforms as long as possible. And what keeps you engaged? Content that makes you feel something—especially anger or fear.
ASU News explains how these algorithms create personalized “echo chambers,” showing you more of what you already agree with, while pushing opposing views further out of reach (“Disinformation and Democracy”, ASU News). The more you engage with certain types of posts, the more extreme versions of that content you’re shown. Over time, this makes it harder to consider opposing viewpoints rationally. It’s subtle, but powerful—and it happens without you even realizing it.
What to Watch For: Are You Being Manipulated?
Here are a few signs that you’re being influenced by traditional and social media platforms without even knowing it:
- Exaggerated Headlines: Do the stories you’re reading use words like “disaster,” “chaos,” or “collapse”? If so, the media might be playing on your emotions to keep you hooked.
- Feeling Anger or Frustration: If you find yourself feeling upset after watching the news or scrolling through your feed, that’s a sign that the content is designed to provoke an emotional response. Media companies know that anger and fear drive engagement.
- Seeing Only One Side: If your newsfeed only reinforces what you already believe, you might be in an echo chamber. Social media algorithms prioritize content that aligns with your past activity, keeping you inside a bubble where opposing viewpoints rarely appear.
- “Us vs. Them” Framing: If the media or articles you’re reading are presenting political differences as a battle between good and evil, you’re likely seeing a simplified, polarized version of the issue. Real-life debates are rarely that black and white.
The Business Model: Why Traditional Media and Social Media Benefit from Division
Why do media outlets and social platforms push these emotionally charged, polarizing stories? The simple answer is profit. Media companies rely on sensational stories to drive clicks, increase viewership, and earn ad revenue. According to Pew Research Center, this business model encourages the media to produce sensational, divisive content because it keeps people watching, clicking, and sharing. Social media platforms, in particular, use algorithms to maximize engagement by showing you content that will provoke strong emotional reactions (Pew Research Center, “The Role of Algorithms in Political Polarization”).
In Simi Valley, where neighbors and friends often have diverse political beliefs, you can see how these tactics play out in real life. A simple political disagreement can quickly escalate into something more personal. It’s not just about the content of the argument—it’s about how we’ve been primed to feel about the “other side.”
Taking Back Control
So, what can we do about it? The first step is to become more aware of how we’re being influenced. Ask yourself why certain stories or posts make you feel angry or scared. Is the content itself that troubling, or is it the way the media has framed it?
Next, step outside your bubble. Follow a variety of news sources, especially those that challenge your views. The more you expose yourself to different perspectives, the better equipped you’ll be to think critically about the issues that matter to you.
Finally, remember that people who think differently from you aren’t your enemies. The media and social platforms profit from making us feel divided, but we can choose to engage in respectful dialogue and understanding. That’s how we rebuild trust in each other—and in our community.
In Simi Valley, as in every part of the country, we can’t control what the media or algorithms do. But we can control how we respond to them. It’s irrational to let anger take hold over small political differences, especially when we realize that we’re all operating from different perspectives, environments, upbringing and social media feeds.
Maybe the real key to moving forward is recognizing that, at our core, we all want the same things for our city. We want our neighborhoods to be safe, our schools to give our kids the best opportunities, and we want great places to eat and enjoy our free time. The only difference between us is in how we think we can achieve those goals.
