Polarization, effects, and challenges in the information age. Initial notes for public discussion

In today's world, narrative polarization has had a profound impact on the public debate agenda. Value judgments without solid foundations, opinions without empirical support, and the biased use of data to fit predetermined narratives have become increasingly common practices. This phenomenon has been facilitated not only by the emergence of the Internet at the end of the 20th century, but also by the rapid development of artificial intelligence. These tools, which can be used for both advanced research and the creation and dissemination of misinformation, have created an environment in which the distortion of reality can be more effective.