UX Collective | Medium
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Negotiating truth
Search engines have shifted from tools that help us find information to systems that present answers directly. This change, influenced by Harold Innis's ideas on media bias, means we now negotiate truth rather than simply research it. Innis distinguished between time-biased media, which prioritize durability and memory, and space-biased media, which favor speed and distribution. He argued that every medium has an inherent bias that shapes how we perceive information.Modern answer engines, characterized by their speed and confidence, have a bias towards frictionless delivery, making belief formation too easy and eroding memory. These engines strip away contextual cues that once signaled the seriousness of information. Consequently, the way an answer is presented by the engine, rather than its accuracy, heavily influences belief. This presents a challenge for brands, whose traditional content strategies focused on volume and optimization for algorithms are now less effective.In an "answer-first world," where content is summarized and presented out of context, trust is harder to build. Brands must adapt by offering context and helping audiences weigh information, rather than solely focusing on product promotion. This involves providing complete answers that genuinely help the reader, even if it doesn't directly benefit the brand. Ultimately, what people believe and trust is determined by the enduring quality and context of information, not just its ranking.