Why Misinformation Thrives—and What You Can Do About It

The Uncomfortable Truth About Your Feed

Who’s in control here—you or your feed? The answer might surprise you.

B.F. Skinner, one of psychology’s most influential figures, helped transform psychology into the science it is today. How? The lowly pigeon.

In his famous experiments, Skinner trained pigeons to peck a button to receive food. The pigeons didn’t understand why the button worked—they just kept pecking as long as they got the reward. In the world of social media, the roles are reversed. You’re Skinner, and your algorithm is the pigeon.

Every time you pause on a sensational headline, click on an emotionally charged post, or like content that confirms your biases, you’re feeding the pigeon: More content like this, please. The algorithm, like Skinner’s pigeon, doesn’t understand the value or truth of what it’s delivering—it’s just responding to your actions.

The result? A behavioral feedback loop where algorithms amplify what we reward, even though what we reward often isn’t the truth. Social media feeds are often seen as mysterious black boxes, controlled by algorithms designed to manipulate and mislead us. But the reality is much simpler: we’re lying to ourselves.

Why Does This Matter on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is often perceived as a platform for professional growth, networking, and thought leadership. But even here, algorithms operate by the same principles. If you engage with sensational posts, overly simplistic career advice, or emotionally charged debates, your feed will reflect those patterns. Don’t give junk food to the birds!

LinkedIn is more than just a feed—it’s a professional environment. The content you consume here shapes your mindset, influences your decisions, and even impacts how you present yourself in the workplace. Feeding your pigeon unhealthy content can come at great professional cost:

For example:

• Loss of Professional Credibility: Sharing or endorsing low-quality or oversimplified content can harm how colleagues, clients, or potential employers perceive your judgment.
• Reduced Networking Value: If your feed is dominated by sensational or polarizing posts, you might miss out on valuable, nuanced content from peers or industry leaders.
• Damaged Critical Thinking: Engaging with overly simplistic ideas can erode your ability to evaluate complex issues—a skill critical for solving real-world problems in any profession.

Ultimately, LinkedIn is only as valuable as the content you engage with. By shaping your feed with intentionality, you can create a space that prioritizes meaningful insights, fosters professional growth, and amplifies credible voices.

What Does Your LinkedIn Feed Say About You?

Your clicks, likes, and shares are shaping what you see every day—and what others see as well. Are you intentional about the content you engage with, or is your feed stuck in a loop you didn’t purposefully curate?

Let’s start a conversation:

• How do you ensure your feed reflects your values and professional goals?
• What steps have you taken to break out of the misinformation cycle?

Share your thoughts below—I’d love to hear your perspective.

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