How Media Shapes Beliefs

Media does not only inform—it selects which problems feel urgent. If cameras ignore a crisis, many assume it ended.

Framing: same unemployment stat as 'recovery' or 'crisis' depending on party. Words steer interpretation.

Repetition builds familiarity; familiarity feels true (illusory truth effect).

Diversify inputs on purpose—local paper, international outlet, domain expert newsletter.

Beliefs update slowly; expect ego resistance when changing mind.

Offline relationships anchor beliefs more than feeds—invest there.

News-vs-narrative article next.