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The real-world consequences of this type of digital manipulation are profound. In an era of heightened geopolitical tension, where the relationship between nations can be influenced by public sentiment and rapid-response diplomacy, the spread of sensationalized, hollow headlines creates a background radiation of constant, unearned stress. When people are subjected to a continuous stream of “apocalypse” headlines that lead nowhere, it produces a state of “outrage exhaustion.” Over time, this makes it harder for the public to distinguish between a genuine international crisis and a satirical blog post designed to harvest data. It erodes the baseline of shared reality that is necessary for a functioning global society.
