The psychology of toxic fandom | Anna Startseva | TEDxReptonSchoolDubai
For these past few years, online toxicity seems to have grown rapidly - spanning comment sections, social media apps, and even seeping into real-life interactions. Though many communities contribute to this issue, one has been especially common: toxic fandoms. These groups may be criticized often, but they are rarely researched or understood. In this talk, we will focus on this understudied phenomenon and demystify the causes behind herd mentality and mass misinformation. We will delve deep into social psychology, discern what differentiates a moral fandom from a toxic one, and uncover how understanding fan communities might be the key to reducing online extremism. Anna Startseva is driven by intellectual curiosity, and approaches challenges with curiosity and determination. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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