News Feed Algorithm & Public Trust Simulator

Ranking Incentives Platform Knobs

Policy Archetype Presets

Outrage Bias Multiplier 2.40x

Weight placed on emotional arousal & reactive anger in user feeds.

Verification Friction Penalty 0.10

Friction, delay, or algorithmic dampening imposed on unvetted claims.

Retention / Time-on-Site 0.85

Optimizes for endless scrolling duration over source authenticity.

Confirmation / Echo Density 0.75

Algorithmic routing to homogeneous user clusters that rarely verify.

Engine ready. Step to propagate news across network.

Audience Dissemination Cascade 60 Citizens

Investigative

Nuanced Fact

Outrage Bait

Conspiracy

Unreached

Platform Ad Impressions 📈 Revenue

14,200

+0% from baseline

Public Trust Index 🛡 Credibility

78%

Baseline high trust

Live Feed Stream Impressions & Shares

Forensic Audit 12h ago

Five-Month Forensic Audit Uncovers Toxic Dumping in Municipal Watershed

Reach: 840 Shares: 35

Economic Analysis 8h ago

Regional Employment Rises Modestly Amid Complex Supply Chain Realignment

Reach: 620 Shares: 19

Viral Video 2h ago

Out-of-Context Video Sparks Fury: Bureaucrat Caught Smirking at Grievance Meeting

Reach: 3,700 Shares: 684

Breaking Leak 45m ago

Leaked Memo Claims Secret Chemical Syndicate Controlling Local Utilities

Reach: 5,280 Shares: 1,390

The Feed Packaging Paradox: Truth vs Fabricated Virality Why social feeds strip contextual provenance

As noted in the media critique, on a timeline feed a 5-month investigative investigation looks visually identical to a fabricated conspiracy: both render inside the exact same standard card with a bold headline, thumbnail, and share buttons. The algorithmic ranking system rewards emotional shock over verification cost.

Verified Investigative Report

High Rigor

Production Labor	420 investigative reporting hours
Legal & Source Vetting	4 independent cross-checks, legal review
Emotional Strategy	Objective documentation, high nuance (0.92)
Truth Score	98% verified historical facts
Platform Algorithmic Bias	Stalled (low rage, low comment warfare)

Fabricated Outrage Conspiracy

Zero Verification

Production Labor	12 minutes (AI generated / zero cost)
Legal & Source Vetting	None (anonymous unverified assertion)
Emotional Strategy	Maximum existential panic & rage (0.99)
Truth Score	5% factual basis
Platform Algorithmic Bias	8.4x Viral Surge (extreme click velocity)

Diagnostic Trust & Incentive Audit Report

Download current simulation state, algorithmic parameters, cascade reach, and trust decay telemetry.