Umberto Eco and the Invasion of Idiots: What the Internet Has Done to Our Thinking
The late Italian philosopher Umberto Eco, famous for The Name of the Rose, once made a brutally honest observation about our digital age. He warned that social media had unleashed an “invasion of idiots.”
At first glance, his comment sounds harsh — but Eco wasn’t being elitist. He was describing a fundamental shift in how we communicate, how we learn, and how we think.
Before the Internet: Expertise and Accountability Mattered
In the pre-digital world, public speech required some degree of expertise, experience, or accountability. If you wanted to share your views widely, you had to earn that privilege through education, publication, or reputation.
Today, the barriers have vanished. Every smartphone is a megaphone, and every opinion, no matter how uninformed, can travel the world in seconds. The problem isn’t that people have voices — it’s that we’ve stopped distinguishing between those who know and those who believe loudly.
The Collapse of Discernment in the Age of Algorithms
Eco didn’t oppose free speech; he was warning us about something deeper — the collapse of discernment.
The internet rewards what’s emotional, not what’s accurate. Outrage, conspiracy, and clickbait outperform facts almost every time. Social platforms don’t care about truth; they care about engagement.
And so, we find ourselves in a world where false news spreads faster than verified truth, and where people confuse visibility with credibility. The result? A public sphere where feelings dominate facts.
Why Eco’s Message Still Matters in 2025
Nearly a decade after his death, Eco’s warning feels prophetic. We scroll endlessly, share impulsively, and react emotionally — all while believing we’re informed.
His challenge to us is simple but powerful: think before you share. Verify your sources. Ask questions. Be aware of how technology manipulates your attention.
Digital literacy isn’t just about using tools — it’s about understanding how those tools shape your perception of reality.
Every Voice Matters, But Not Every Opinion Deserves Authority
This is the uncomfortable truth many avoid. Yes, everyone has the right to speak — but not every opinion deserves the same weight. Respect for freedom of expression must coexist with responsibility for the consequences of what we express.
Eco’s timeless reminder is that wisdom in the digital age begins with awareness — awareness of ourselves, our biases, and the technology shaping how we think and act online.
From Digital Freedom to Digital Responsibility
If we want a healthier online culture, we must move beyond blaming algorithms and start cultivating digital ethics.
Social media isn’t the problem — human behaviour is. As I often remind my readers, the internet doesn’t change who we are; it amplifies it. The question is: what are you choosing to amplify?
Discover more from Ramon Thomas Blog
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
