Infostorms: How to Take Information Punches and Save Democracy 2014th Edition

“In Infostorms, Vincent Hendricks and Pelle Hansen incorporate tools from formal philosophy, social psychology and game theory to explore a range of phenomena involving the diffusion of information among groups and social networks. … Infostorms does a good job of collecting and analyzing a range of intriguing social informational phenomena using insights from a variety of technical fields.” (Simon D’Alfonso, Metascience, Vol. 24, 2015) “Infostorms identifies pervasive traps that lead to flawed thinking and offers insight into how to avoid the pitfalls, it is an invaluable guide for course correcting to a brighter yet even more technologically mediated future.” (Evan Selinger, Amazon.com, February, 2014)

The information society is upon us and with it comes the constant barrage of information accessible wherever, whenever. This book explores the role of knowledge (or lack thereof) prevalent in society, and investigates the dangers lurking in information technology and democracy as a whole.

Information is a condition for a robust democracy; people should vote based on sound information. But sound information doesn t come easy and without labor. It must be properly handled and formatted before it is useful for deliberation, decision and action. In the information age, understanding the means by which information is processed becomes a crucial democratic instrument for the individual as well as the group.

With points of departure in philosophy, social psychology, economics, and choice- and game theory,Infostorms shows how information may be used to improve the quality of personal decision and group thinking but also warns against the informational pitfalls which modern information technology may amplify. Covering topics including the continued war efforts, the social media success, polarization in politics, stock, science or opinion bubbles and what it really is; this book s broad approach offers an excellent overview on information and valuable guidance on how to take information punches.

This book should be read by everyone interested in network formation and researchers interested in decision making behavior.

– Robert A. Becker, Professor of Economics, Indiana University, Bloomington

The result is a showpiece of socially responsible fundamental science.

– Johan van Benthem?, Professor of Logic and Philosophy, University of Amsterdam & Stanford University

Drawing on many different disciplines and traditions, Infostorms offers an analysis of these forces that is indispensable for everyone who is invested, as we all should be, in the value and the future of democracy.

– Philip Pettit, L.S. Rockefeller University Professor of Politics and Human Values, Princeton University; University Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Australian National University