The Dark Arts of Psychology: Nudges

Recently, a number of peer-reviewed papers have come to light, exposing just how pervasive and damaging the use of nudges was during Covid-19.

Fear nudging involves using nudges that utilize a fear component to drive behavior, opinions, or decision-making.

Internet users are inundated with attempts to persuade, including digital nudges like defaults, friction, and reinforcement.

Digital nudges can be used for altruistic purposes including protection against manipulation, but behavioural interventions have mixed effects at best.

The use of these nudges by specialized units during the COVID-19 pandemic generated a societal atmosphere of fear that precipitated a deterioration of the mental and physical health of the population.

The dark nudge is an incredibly effective fear-based tool that governments, political candidates, companies, NGOs, the security state, and others use to control thought and action at the individual and population level.

The number of peer-reviewed papers documenting and encouraging the use of dark nudges is astounding. 

https://brownstone.org/articles/the-dark-arts-of-psychology-nudges/