The Collapse of Truth on Quora and the Human Psychology Behind It

On the vast landscape of the internet, conspiracy theories and unfounded beliefs persist, often leading to content collapsing on platforms like Quora. Here, we explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and the human psychology driving it.

Conspiracy Theories and Factually Incorrect Content

Many users on Quora peddle wild conspiracy theories, ranging from flat Earth to the circular moon landing, to the microscopic inability to see the coronavirus, to the submarine moon missions. These theories, while objectively verifiably false, often find a shadowy existence on the platform, much to the chagrin of those who advocate for accurate information.

Many of your answers are factually incorrect, making them untrue. Those with little tolerance for this falsehood will downvote or report such responses. If there are enough downvotes, Quora will collapse these answers, effectively removing them from the site.

Short and Subjective Truths

Truth is often subjective, and what you consider truth may differ from what another person considers truth. When an answer is short but factually correct, it may be collapsed as it is too short to provide a comprehensive explanation. This subjective nature of truth means that even when answers are correct, they may be downvoted and collapsed due to differences in opinion.

A lot of what is presented as truth is often not truthful at all. People mistake their belief in something for actual truth, without considering evidence or verification. Just because you believe something does not make it true. Similarly, just because someone believes in something does not make it true, and merely passing on someone else's belief does not make it more truthful.

Collapsing False Truths

Many questions on Quora are asked as if they are truths, when in fact, they are demonstrably false. When this is pointed out, the asker can downvote the answer, even though the answer is a true statement. This highlights the importance of verifying information before it is shared.

Actual truth has no relation to the mechanics of such situations; rather, it is the reactions of individuals that matter. If a considerable number of individuals do not agree with the information, it may be collapsed or downvoted, regardless of its factual accuracy.

The Psychology of Those Claiming to Have the Truth

My experience suggests that most people who claim to be telling the truth are often marked by negative traits such as racism, homophobia, and transphobia. These individuals often engage in targeted hate speech, using phrases like "My friends, you are being lied to" to ignite hostility and misinformation.

When someone is convinced they have the truth, they often engage in dangerous and discriminatory behaviors based on the group they believe is responsible for spreading lies. However, it is important to note that even those who claim to have the truth can still act in ways that are constructive and positive, free from bias and hate.

Ultimately, the value of truth on Quora is determined not by the content itself, but by the reactions of its user base. If enough users believe a claim is false, it will be collapsed, regardless of its factual accuracy. This underscores the importance of fostering a culture of critical thinking and fact-checking on the platform.