Many of you may agree that ‘Good news should travel, but the bad news must travel faster’. Most of us sometimes find it irritating to read about negatives and complaints, but we behave the same way—sharing more negatives and complaining of faults rather than appreciating things and feeling grateful for what we have.
It is not your fault. We are genetically coded that way. We have evolved to be more alert to potential threats. Detecting flaws or dangers helped early humans avoid life-threatening situations; somehow, that code got written down in our behavioural patterns. This negativity bias suggested that focusing on problems rather than positives was more beneficial.
Furthermore, negative information demands immediate attention and action, while positive information is often less urgent. This prompts the brain to process negative information faster, giving it more mental weight.
We also use negativity to project our insecurities or unresolved issues onto others by criticising them. Fault-finding serves as a coping mechanism for dealing with internal struggles.
Whether it is a small office operation or the giant Maha Kumbh, a wedding or an eating joint, pointing out faults (in others or situations) creates a feeling of superiority or self-justification. In other social contexts like a peer-to-peer evaluation, positive self-evaluations ( mostly shrouded in negative reflection on others) elevate self-worth.
SHARING NEGATIVITY.
When it comes to emotions, negative emotions such as anger, fear, and outrage elicit stronger and more immediate responses than calmness or joy. We inherently recognise this and are more inclined to share negative content as it demands immediate reaction.
Unfortunately, most don’t differentiate and often share negative information to ‘warn’ others and appear insightful, caring, and astute. This feels like providing valuable or protective information. As a result, we tend to bond more readily over shared struggles than over shared successes. Empathising faults and grievances in systems, processes, and other groups can strengthen group identity or solidarity.
Moreover, we all experience confirmation bias, which is further exacerbated by the algorithm-driven delivery of narrowly focused information on social platforms. Once we adopt a critical mindset and others recognise our polarised and skewed viewpoints, they tend to share more information that reinforces our entrenched beliefs. Mentally, we, too, seek and share more evidence that confirms our existing opinions, especially if the information aligns with group beliefs or social norms.
THE NEW WORLD OF FAKE INFORMATION
Misinformation or false narratives rely on triggering negative emotions such as fear, outrage, or distrust. As negative content spreads more rapidly, fake stories that provoke strong reactions achieve greater reach than fact-based, positive information.
Social media algorithms are designed to prioritise engagement. Since negative content drives more interaction, algorithms amplify divisive, critical, or false content. We have witnessed this build-up of narrative in the country.
Asfault-finding and negative content dominate, trust in institutions, individuals, and even facts erodes. This leads to cynicism and reduces people’s willingness to accept positive information or solutions. So, they question any news that is positive or worth appreciating.
Such Fault-finding behaviour and sharing of selective negative perspectives help create and strengthen polarised groups where negativity toward outsiders is encouraged and celebrated. This makes it easier for false information to gain traction. And the loop continues.
IS THERE A SOLUTION?
I am uncertain whether any laws or regulations can change this. It must be a movement driven by individual understanding, values, and actions. There is a possibility that we may take charge of our feelings and expressions and be responsible for what we create share, and comment on. If there is a way to encourage people to recognise and counteract negativity bias, it could help reduce the urge to share or amplify faults and misinformation.
Expecting business-oriented entities to realign their algorithms and platforms to prioritise positive or constructive content and more balanced conversations about slowing the spread of fake news is asking for too much. They are shifting away from self-initiative in fact-checking, which may give rise to a new breed of fact-checkers. However, building and encouraging a fact-checking habit before sharing can help mitigate the impact of false negative content. But, then, it goes against the natural instinct.
It is foolish to expect exposing people to media literacy skills to identify emotional manipulation and false information to slow the spread of harmful narratives. After all, we are the generation of Know-all and fully literate when it comes to our convictions and beliefs. We inherently know what is wrong or right for us.
NETNET.
This habit of promoting negative perspectives and holding back appreciation is deeply rooted in human psychology. However, we may be able to decrease the negative impacts by fostering self-awareness and developing societal norms and expectations (not rules and regulations) around responsible sharing.
Make a beginning today, appreciate something, find goodness around yourself, share it and hold yourself from playing fastest finger first- forwarding unchecked polarised negative news and views!
It’s a tough task, but sometimes, somewhere, we need to begin acting and not just remain a theorist. It is not so painful.
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