Disordered information (mis/dis/mal-info) thrives where trust is broken, and conspiracy theories fill the gaps left by unresponsive institutions. Fact-checking helps, but rebuilding trust requires more: accountability, transparency, and giving people real ways to shape the decisions that affect them - ThreadSky

eliothiggins.bsky.social • 1 day ago

Disordered information (mis/dis/mal-info) thrives where trust is broken, and conspiracy theories fill the gaps left by unresponsive institutions. Fact-checking helps, but rebuilding trust requires more: accountability, transparency, and giving people real ways to shape the decisions that affect them

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carolinejmolloy.bsky.social•1 day ago

We’ve known for a long time you can’t build deep trust online. But face to face services are increasingly being withdrawn.

eliothiggins.bsky.social•1 day ago

Democracy isn’t just voting every few years-it’s about having a real say in decisions that shape our lives. When people feel unheard, frustration grows, and bad actors exploit it. Strengthening democracy means expanding civic engagement, from local initiatives to national policy.

the0point.bsky.social•1 day ago

Yeah but reality has shifted away from the fruitful planet we grew up with. The game is designed more than ever to let Trump and Musk win. It's only because it's in the final throes of possibility that it is so contrastive.

eliothiggins.bsky.social•1 day ago

Strengthening democracy isn’t about chasing populism or pandering to anger-it’s about making institutions truly responsive. Quick fixes & empty slogans fuel more disillusionment. Real engagement means addressing problems at their root, not just reacting to the loudest voices.

eliothiggins.bsky.social•1 day ago

Democracy doesn’t win by default-it withers without constant care. Ignoring its flaws or assuming it will self-correct creates space for authoritarianism to creep in. A healthy democracy needs ongoing effort: accountability, engagement, and adapting to a changing world.

anywhy.bsky.social•1 day ago

I think democracy is the social equivalent of agriculture vs. hunting-gathering. You can't just throw some seeds on the ground and expect a great harvest every year. You have to do soil management, irrigation, organize timely planting and harvest, line up buyers, etc. It's a whole system to upkeep.

eliothiggins.bsky.social•1 day ago

It's like I say, democracy is not a cactus.

anywhy.bsky.social•1 day ago

That's a good one. Thank you.

eliothiggins.bsky.social•1 day ago

Healthy democracy thrives on participation, transparency, and accountability. Authoritarianism works by eroding all three-pushing passivity over engagement, secrecy over openness, and impunity over justice. A democracy left unattended is one that can be slowly dismantled. Sound familiar?

katiecannon.bsky.social•1 day ago

We really need to include money when thinking about all this stuff

Like public participation incudes a Public Money

So, we need to be thinking about locally created Public Money created by public orgs/institutions

Cities, public universities, land coops, whatever

leetaylorbythesea.bsky.social•1 day ago

A good message for grim times

goodtroublemike.bsky.social•8 hours ago

slowly?

eliothiggins.bsky.social•1 day ago

For more detail on what I think an effective intervention would be, you can read this piece I wrote recently with @drnataliemartin.bsky.social
https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/how-protect-democracies-falsehoods-empowering-young-open-source-investigation-skills

esatjuntu.bsky.social•1 day ago

📌

drnataliemartin.bsky.social•1 day ago

Echoing https://EliotHiggins.bsky.social here - ongoing health of our democracy may depend on willingness of most people to be willing and able to do basic due diligence on the “news” they consume especially online. A big ask but essential. Events of past weeks stateside back this up and UK not far behind..

berdee.bsky.social•1 day ago

Thank you for sharing this.

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