The value of the unpopular: Counteracting the popularity echo-chamber on the Web

Theoretical proofs and empirical evidence show that diverse perspectives benefit groups, society and individuals. Current Web applications, by artificially emphasizing popularity, discourage this diversity. This paper examines the effect of the popularity ¿echo-chamber¿ on diversity, minority views and innovation. Applications and practices to counter this cascading trend and promote divergent thinking and minority perspectives are explored in a new project ¿unpopular.ca¿.