t is often assumed that online discussions escalate because people become less socially concerned when they are anonymous, or because online messages are unclear and easily misunderstood. In her PhD-dissertation, which she defended on September 22, Carla Roos reveals that the opposite is often the case: online communication is sometimes so clear that it can make people appear antisocial.
We live in turbulent times. Concerns about polarization and popular discontent are commonplace. So for many reasons, this seems a better time than ever to ask the question: what do we really know about such mass movements and societal sea-changes? Tom Postmes provides four key insights from his research over the last 7 years, which he conducted in close collaboration with various Dutch Ministries.