The Paper Trail
(Economics)
(Economics)
Because our time and attention are limited but our desire for content is infinite, we say that attention is a _____ resource.
What is Scarce (or Scarcity)?
This type of "Forensic Evidence" is the data hidden inside a file, like the date a photo was taken or the GPS location of a video.
What is Metadata?
This "Jolt" emotion is used when a thumbnail says "YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED NEXT!"
Answer: What is Curiosity (or Surprise)?
When a YouTuber says "This video is sponsored by...", they are admitting to having this type of "Motive."
What is Commercial Bias (or Profit Motive)?
This term describes the "rewards" (like a free gift) or "punishments" (like a scary warning) that creators use to get you to click.
What are Incentives?
When you leave one website to search for the same topic on a different, trusted site, you are practicing this detective move.
What is Lateral Reading (or Reading Sideways)?
This term describes a person who seems "just like you" to make you trust their product recommendations more easily.
What is an Honest Profile (or Relatability)?
Information that is intentionally faked to trick people into clicking so the creator can make money is called ______.
What is Dis-information?
In the digital market, apps like TikTok are "free" to use because YOU are actually the product. This term describes a market where your limited time and focus are the currency being bought and sold.
What is the Attention Economy?
If a video has a tiny "glitch" or a hand twitch right before a "miracle" happens, you have found evidence of this.
What is a Jump Cut (or Forensic Editing)?
When an ad makes you feel like you are the only person on earth not using a cool new app, they are using this "social" trigger.
What is FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)?
A creator who wants to change your mind about a political issue or a social cause has a motive to ______ you.
What is Persuade?
If you spend 20 minutes watching a fake lemon-battery video instead of studying for a math test, the math grade you didn't get is called this.
What is Opportunity Cost?
To find the truth, a detective ignores "re-posts" and tries to find the original creator or document, known as this.
What is a Primary Source?
This part of the brain is "hijacked" by emotional media, causing us to react before we have time to think logically.
What is the Amygdala?
This term describes "Engagement Bait"—content designed only to get likes and shares, regardless of whether the info is true.
What is Clickbait (or Algorithmic Manipulation)?