In this blog post, we examine how the order of the imagination created by the Internet influences human collective behavior and social side effects.
In 2011, the Middle East saw numerous protests, such as the Egyptian Revolution and the Algerian Revolution, aimed at achieving democratization. These protests led to the downfall of several dictators, and foreign media dubbed this phenomenon the “Arab Spring.” These protests can be seen as a prime example of the results achieved through flexible human cooperation. It can be argued that humans are the only species on Earth capable of demonstrating such organic, systematic, and collective movements. Historically, this human capacity has driven countless changes, enabling human progress that goes beyond mere survival.
In *Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow*, Yuval Noah Harari discusses why only humans are capable of flexible cooperation, citing belief in an imagined order as the primary reason. In the past, religion or the law served as this imagined order. Behaviors driven by religious beliefs or the coercive power of the law have been common since ancient times. However, in recent years, a far greater variety of imagined orders has emerged. For example, cheering for a favorite sports team can be linked to collective behavior based on the imagined order that the team will win. This is not limited to sports alone but is expanding into various social and cultural phenomena. Political beliefs, economic ideologies, and even consumer brand loyalty can be cited as examples of phenomena maintained by imagined orders.
I believe the internet plays a major role in the proliferation of these imagined orders. The internet currently serves as the largest platform for the distribution of information. As information flows freely, various types of imagined orders can be proposed, and it becomes much easier to engage in collective action. In reality, the internet itself is a space composed of electrical signals and cannot be considered an imaginary order in and of itself. In other words, the electrical signals that make up the internet are merely a medium containing information about various imaginary orders. Therefore, the information and imaginary orders generated through the internet possess the power to significantly influence the reality in which we live.
Consequently, the internet has led to an increase in collective human behavior. This phenomenon must be harnessed for the benefit of humanity. As mentioned earlier, it is acceptable if humanity’s collective tendencies are used in ways that benefit us, such as in revolutions or democratization movements. However, if they have a negative impact, they can produce significant adverse effects on society. For example, situations may arise where fake news or misinformation spreads, fostering hatred or prejudice toward specific groups. This demonstrates that the imaginary order disseminated through the internet can cause real-world problems.
In fact, recently, this collective tendency has sometimes become a cause that suppresses diversity and leads all of humanity to adopt uniform thinking. A prime example is the witch hunts or incitement directed at celebrities in the media. These situations result from individuals failing to critically evaluate information and instead being swept up by the prevailing social atmosphere. While the development of the internet has made it easier to access information, it has also led to a decline in critical thinking regarding that information. In other words, people come to believe that the reactions of a few represent the overall public opinion, leading to a phenomenon where they follow that opinion. This phenomenon clearly highlights a problem in modern society, where individuals lose their bearings and are easily swept away in the flood of information.
Portal sites like Naver in Korea serve to provide users with information, such as news articles. When an article is posted, there is a comment section where netizens can share their opinions. However, this comment section features a “like” or “dislike” system. I believe these systems are the main culprits that stifle diverse perspectives and lead society as a whole to adopt uniform thoughts and ways of thinking.
When someone presents an opinion that differs from the prevailing view of society, they are often subjected to a barrage of criticism online. I view this as one of the causes that suppresses diverse thinking and leads society as a whole to adopt a uniform mindset. In fact, this system also has the drawback of potentially being exploited for incitement. For example, by manipulating the “agree” or “disagree” counts regarding a specific political event, it is possible to skew the mindset of society as a whole.
I also believe that social media platforms like Facebook are a cause of our society’s homogenized way of thinking. Due to the nature of social media, users are easily exposed to a vast amount of information. Consequently, there is a widespread tendency to accept the information that appears before them unconditionally, without evaluating it critically. As a result, it is evident that many users develop a uniform mindset influenced by the information on social media. This phenomenon accurately reflects the psychology of modern people, who get lost in a sea of information and easily conform to mainstream opinions.
As we have seen through numerous examples, failing to approach online information with a critical mindset inevitably leads to negative consequences. To live in a way that exerts a more positive influence on society, we must cultivate a critical attitude toward information and a respect for diversity. Furthermore, there is a need for ongoing discussion and research on how our social, political, and economic structures can manage and regulate the “imagined order” spreading through the internet and the collective behavior it engenders.
