Nowadays, you no longer have to live in an isolated village to hear only one version of reality — the internet and social networks are enough. It seems that there is more information than ever before, but in reality, many of us live in information bubbles where only the opinions we like are echoed. This environment is called an echo chamber, a space where we hear back what we ourselves have said. The information space “filters” content and allows us to hear only what we want to hear. Every word, thought, or tweet we utter comes back to us as a loud, convincing echo, creating the impression that everyone thinks the same way we do.
This phenomenon is accompanied by another, much quieter but even more dangerous phenomenon — confirmation bias. This is a psychological mechanism that causes us to seek out and accept only information that matches our existing beliefs. When we encounter a contrary opinion, we often automatically dismiss it with phrases such as, “That’s not reliable!” or “They’re spreading lies!” This defensive reaction is not malicious — it is the natural tendency of the human mind to maintain internal comfort and avoid cognitive dissonance, the feeling that reality does not match our beliefs.
When these two phenomena combine, a vicious circle is created:
- We find an environment where our opinion is constantly confirmed;
- We seek only those sources that agree with our thinking;
- We dispute or ignore any information that contradicts our beliefs.
The result is an illusion of truth. The more we hear the same message, the more it seems true. It works like advertising — it doesn’t always convince with arguments, but with repetition.
This kind of thinking is dangerous not only for the individual, but also for society as a whole. It deepens the divide between people, intensifies polarization, and creates an environment where dialogue becomes almost impossible. After all, how can you discuss with someone who is convinced that their opinion is the indisputable truth because “everyone” around them confirms it?
Breaking out of this vicious circle is difficult because it requires leaving your comfort zone. It means listening to opposing views, checking information from different sources, and acknowledging that we ourselves can also be wrong. This process is not pleasant, but it is the only way to see reality outside of our bubble.
Otherwise, we continue to live in a bubble where a voice says, “You are the one who is right” — and we believe it, even if it is only our own voice coming back like a boomerang.