In a recent study, published in the esteemed journal Journal of the Royal Society Interface, researchers from Cornell University presented a fundamental analysis of the disinformation phenomenon, demonstrating its universality and evolutionary significance. The authors assert that disinformation is not a unique creation of human civilization, but rather an inherent feature of biological systems at all levels of their organization.
Disinformation is defined as any signal or stimulus that leads to the formation of a distorted view of reality in an organism, which subsequently causes erroneous decisions. This occurrence arises due to fundamental limitations in biological communication mechanisms. The authors emphasize that disinformation is an unavoidable consequence of imperfect information processes, caused by noise, perception errors, and distortions in signal transmission.
As instances of disinformation in living nature, the authors cite cascades of false alarms in bird flocks, biochemical deception in bacteria, and autoimmune reactions in mammals. In bird flocks, false warning signals can lead to mass panic, which studies show is an evolutionarily beneficial mechanism for great tits, allowing them to deter rivals and seize resources. At the microbiological level, bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella employ biochemical trickery, intercepting signaling molecules to coordinate community behavior. This skews the perception of population density and benefits the deceivers. At the organism level, disinformation manifests as autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system attacks its own tissues, perceiving them as a threat.
The authors highlight several key mechanisms for the emergence of disinformation, including random errors in signal transmission and the systematic misinterpretation of those signals. Special attention is paid to the role of social interactions in amplifying false information through feedback loops, leading to the formation of stable, yet inaccurate, states within populations.
The research holds both theoretical and practical relevance. Understanding disinformation as a universal biological process opens new vistas for biotechnology and medicine. For example, therapeutic approaches aimed at disrupting the perception of “quorum sensing” signals in bacteria could be utilized to develop anti-infection strategies. Managing false signals within the immune system opens possibilities for treating autoimmune ailments.
The authors conclude that disinformation is an intrinsic part of biological systems where information exchange occurs between agents. This applies to immune systems, neural networks, biofilms, animal communities, and social networks. Examining the common principles of disinformation propagation across this diversity of biological systems may contribute to a deeper comprehension of its nature and mechanisms in human society. This interdisciplinary approach transcends the conventional analysis of digital media and opens new horizons for scholarly inquiry.
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