Prediction markets like Polymarket are dangerous vehicles for infodemic chaos that drown rational discourse in a tsunami of biased, constantly shifting information. These platforms amplify crypto-investor biases, enable market manipulation by wealthy actors placing massive bets, and create self-fulfilling prophecies that distort democratic processes while enriching shadowy libertarian billionaires like Peter Thiel who fund Trump allies.
Prediction markets aggregate distributed knowledge faster and more accurately than failing traditional institutions, outperforming polls and expert forecasts by forcing participants to risk real money on their beliefs. As trust in polls, media and government collapses to historic lows, these markets fill the vacuum by providing transparent, accountable real-time signals that reward accuracy and punish wishful thinking.
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0