Confirmation Bias in the Age of Algorithms

Confirmation Bias is the second most famous sport in India after cricket. No stadium required. No Equipment needed. Just a belief & the determination to prove it right and any cost.

We never ask if it’s true ?

Instead we ask, “How can I prove this is true?”

 

Let’s tour three proud arenas of our mental wrestling.

 

1.     Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes

 

A hotel conference hall. Flashing lights. Loud music. A man in a shiny blazer shouting, “Financial freedom!” Slides show Lamborghinis. The crowd claps like they have already bought one in their imagination.

 

That’s the Multi-Level Marketing ecosystem.

 

When someone questions it, the response is immediate. You have a poor mindset with zero understanding of business.

 

Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes are not new. Yet, year after year, educated and uneducated people alike fall into them.

 

Why confirmation bias works quietly and efficiently?

 

Because of Luxuries lifestyles presented on stage & Succcess Stories sells.

 

If data shows most participants lose money, that’s clearly because they “didn’t hustle hard enough.” 

 

They didn’t get in to mathematics. In confirmation bias world, arithmetic is negative thinking.

 

They don’t evaluate the structure the revenue stream. They evaluate the dream. And once they invest money, Their brain becomes a PR manager.

 

When they face Loss? It’s a Temporary setback.
When they have Debt? It’s a Strategic investment.
Eventually when they face Failure? Its the Universe taking the test.

 

Putting the blame back on God and Karma

 

2. Pseudoscience: Astrology, Numerology, and Vastu

 

Practices like astrology, numerology, and vastu are deeply embedded in our society. It is important to distinguish cultural tradition from scientific validity.

 

ॐ ब्रह्मा मुरारी त्रिपुरांतकारी, भानु: शशि भूमि सुतो बुधश्च।

गुरुश्च शुक्र शनि राहु केतव:, सर्वे ग्रहा शांति करा भवंतु॥

 

This mantra claims we knew all the 9 planets before scientific discovery which is not true, as it has Sun, Moon & rahu-ketu (ascending and descending nodes of the moon).

 

Science demands testable predictions, replicable results, evidence that survives controlled experiments.

 

Astrology and numerology consistently fail rigorous scientific testing. Yet millions believe in them.

Why?

Confirmation bias again.

 

In India, if something goes wrong, it’s not poor planning. It’s Mercury.

Business failed? Wrong direction of the main door.

WiFi slow? May be Saturn (Shani).

 

Astrology predictions work brilliantly because they follow a genius strategy:

Say ten things. Two will fit. Delete the rest from memory.

 

“You will face challenges but overcome them.”

That covers literally every human life.

 

Numerology upgrades are also available.

Change spelling. Add an extra “a.” Suddenly, destiny improves.

 

Raahul > Rahul.

Success unlocked.

 

Vastu is architectural astrology. If your sofa faces west, profits go east. 

If your toilet is in the wrong corner, so is your future.

 

And when things don’t improve?

“You didn’t follow it properly.”

 

It’s like a cosmic warranty that never expires because the fault is always yours.

 

3. Religion Without Understanding

 

We defend religion passionately. We debate loudly. We fight aggressively.

Reading the actual text? Optional.

 

Many followers know Festival dates, WhatsApp quotes & Selective verses

But context? History? Interpretation? It’s a complete Silence.

 

We highlight lines that support our existing opinions and ignore the rest. Complex philosophy becomes one line slogans.

 

If someone asks a tough question, it’s not discussion. It’s disrespect.

 

Faith should be strong enough to handle inquiry. But confirmation bias prefers comfort over curiosity.

 

Religion becomes less about understanding and more about belonging. And once identity is involved, logic quietly leaves the room.

 

We Love Confirmation Bias only : 

Because it feels good.

Being right feels good.
Belonging feels good.

The consequences are not small.

-        Financial loss in MLM schemes

-        Poor life decisions based on pseudoscience

-        Social conflict driven by unexamined religious beliefs

 

At a national level, when societies prioritise belief over evidence, progress slows. 

 

Innovation requires skepticism. 

Science requires doubt. 

Democracy requires questioning authority.

 

If we dismiss criticism automatically, we weaken ourselves.

 

Changing your mind requires humility. And humility is not trending.

 

Social media helps to damage further more. Algorithms feed us what we already agree with. Soon, our opinions look like universal truth because everyone in our feed thinks the same.

 

We don’t live in society.
We live in customised realities being a victim of Artificial Intelligence in Algorithms.