Illusionsshared

Illusionsshared is a term used in digital media studies to describe the phenomenon whereby perceptual or cognitive illusions are propagated and amplified through social sharing on online platforms, leading to a widely held misperception within a community. The concept highlights how a misconception can gain apparent credibility as it is repeatedly encountered in feeds, comments, and memes.

The coinage of the term is uncertain, with appearances in late-2010s discussions and subsequent scholarly and journalistic use. It is generally treated as an umbrella for both perceptual illusions (such as misinterpreted images) and cognitive biases (such as overgeneralized conclusions) that survive and spread through networked sharing rather than through direct experience.

Key mechanisms include algorithmic amplification, where platforms promote engaging content; social conformity and fear of missing out; emotional arousal that increases shareability; and repetition, which can strengthen illusory credibility. Cross-platform diffusion can create a sense that the illusion is widely endorsed even when evidence is lacking.

Illustrative examples may involve miscaptioned photos or videos that imply a false scientific claim, or text-based claims that rely on anecdotal resonance rather than data. In practice, illusionsshared can contribute to mistaken beliefs about topics ranging from current events to scientific topics.

Scholars discuss implications for trust, media literacy, and democratic discourse. Some critics argue that the term overlaps with existing concepts such as misinformation, virality, or memetics, and stress the need for precise definitions and reliable measurement approaches in research.

See also: misinformation, virality, memetics, algorithmic amplification, media literacy.