Hierarchical Synchronization and Distortion Scaling in Social Media Networks: A Fractal-Like Topology Theory

Fuente: arXiv
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Autore principale: Luo, Kaiming
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Luo, Kaiming
author_facet Luo, Kaiming
contents The rapid proliferation of social media as a dominant channel for information dissemination has intensified concerns over systemic information distortion, whereby content is progressively altered through successive layers of transmission. While prior studies have explored such distortion qualitatively, the quantitative interplay between propagation topology and stochastic cognitive perturbations remains insufficiently understood. In this work, we propose a novel fractal-inspired directed hierarchical network model to capture the structural patterns of propagation, and introduce a Noise-Frustrated Hegselmann-Krause (NFHK) framework to model opinion dynamics under noise. Analytical results, supported by group and graph theory, reveal that noise accumulation leads to increasing opinion distortion and the emergence of intra-layer synchronization. Multi-agent simulations confirm these effects, showing that noise intensity shapes both convergence rates and weak intra-layer clustering. Empirical validation using a representative retweet cascade demonstrates that the proposed model reproduces real-world distortion patterns and synchronization behaviors, even without direct links. This work uncovers a unified mechanism for information distortion in digital platforms and offers topology-aware insights for public opinion governance and platform regulation.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2505_05769
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Hierarchical Synchronization and Distortion Scaling in Social Media Networks: A Fractal-Like Topology Theory
Luo, Kaiming
Physics and Society
Chaotic Dynamics
The rapid proliferation of social media as a dominant channel for information dissemination has intensified concerns over systemic information distortion, whereby content is progressively altered through successive layers of transmission. While prior studies have explored such distortion qualitatively, the quantitative interplay between propagation topology and stochastic cognitive perturbations remains insufficiently understood. In this work, we propose a novel fractal-inspired directed hierarchical network model to capture the structural patterns of propagation, and introduce a Noise-Frustrated Hegselmann-Krause (NFHK) framework to model opinion dynamics under noise. Analytical results, supported by group and graph theory, reveal that noise accumulation leads to increasing opinion distortion and the emergence of intra-layer synchronization. Multi-agent simulations confirm these effects, showing that noise intensity shapes both convergence rates and weak intra-layer clustering. Empirical validation using a representative retweet cascade demonstrates that the proposed model reproduces real-world distortion patterns and synchronization behaviors, even without direct links. This work uncovers a unified mechanism for information distortion in digital platforms and offers topology-aware insights for public opinion governance and platform regulation.
title Hierarchical Synchronization and Distortion Scaling in Social Media Networks: A Fractal-Like Topology Theory
topic Physics and Society
Chaotic Dynamics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.05769