Gated Communities of the Digitised Mind: A Qualitative Case Study of Echo Chambers and Filter Bubbles

This study develops a novel research methodology for qualitatively assessing theoretical constructs situated in the online realm, with proposed social effects. This methodology is employed to study filter bubbles and echo chambers of 15 Danish politicians, as reckonable via screenshots of a predefined Google search of the same terms, and the 10 latest posts from their Facebook “wall” and Twitter “homepage”. The study finds that the theories behind both the filter bubbles and echo chambers stand confirmed, and proposes the concept of gated communities of the digitised mind as a meaningful description for the social reality of the online realm. The study includes a review of recent research and literature in the field, and summarises the internal and external actors and actions taken to address the issues raised. The study finds a tentative answer to what these recent developments mean for deliberative democracies, but argues that more research, and political attention is needed.