Policy Media Staff Writer

Cathy Jiang

Yuxuan (Cathy) Jiang is a student at Hamilton High School (Class of 2028) with a strong interest in the intersection of science, mathematics, and public policy. She plans to pursue studies in neuroscience and applied mathematics in college before continuing on to law school, where she hopes to apply analytical thinking and scientific insight to legal advocacy.

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All articles by the author

Playing the Blame Game

Social Policy

Cathy Jiang

We struggle to confront aspects of ourselves we find uncomfortable, shameful, or threatening; instead of acknowledging these traits within ourselves, we frequently push them onto others. Psychologists call this process projection—a defense mechanism that helps individuals avoid psychological discomfort. While projection occurs at the personal level, its effects can extend into politics and the government. Thus, understanding projection provides insight into why societies become polarized, why political opponents are shown as possessing society’s greatest flaws, and how governments can reflect the psychological tendencies of the populations they govern.

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Left On Read? Here’s Why it Hurts

Technology Policy

Cathy Jiang

Why does a single unanswered text have the power to ruin our day? What seems like an overreaction is actually the product of ancient survival mechanisms, psychological biases, and modern technology that makes social uncertainty feel far more threatening than it really is.

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You Are What You Consume

Technology Policy

Cathy Jiang

We lose more of ourselves every day due to modern technology. What appears we focus on in the news, in our feed, and even in the music we listen to ultimately shape who we become.

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Sold For a Like

Technology Policy

Cathy Jiang

Parasocial relationships are one of the most harmful outcomes of extensive media consumption. For both the watchers and the producers of digital content, critical thought and cautious actions are imperative.

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Progress and Pushback: Gender Equality in a Polarized Era

Social Policy

Cathy Jiang

Despite progress in achieving equality, the rift between feminism and “incelism” is only increasing with time. This gap is largely due to online subcultures and social media.

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Press Bias in Japanese Public Broadcasting

Social Policy

Cathy Jiang

The Japan Broadcasting Corporation is Japan’s public broadcasting organization that preaches objectivity and liberalism. However, that is not the case.

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The Rise and Risk of Misinformation Laws

Social Policy

Cathy Jiang

Between 2010 and 2022, over 80 countries enacted legislation designed to combat the spread of “fake news” and disinformation (Bradshaw et al. 2424). While these measures are often portrayed as essential to social and technological advances, such as the viral spread of rumors on social media and the emergence of deepfakes, evidence suggests that political motives frequently outweigh genuine concerns for public order. By weaponing the term “fake news,” many regimes have created systems that prioritize the consolidation of power over the protection of truth.

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Caught in the Filter: How Social Media Moderation Silences Marginalized Voices

Social Policy

Cathy Jiang

Social media platforms claim to protect users from harm–but for many marginalized communities, those same systems are doing the opposite. Researchers and advocacy groups have shown that speech by women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and religious minorities are censored or removed disproportionately. In contrast, harassment against these groups is often ignored (Diaz and Hecht-Felella). Content moderation systems on major social media platforms disproportionately silence marginalized voices because of structural flaws in how these systems are designed and enforced. This report examines the historical context, mechanisms, case studies, and reform proposals related to these disparate outcomes.

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Policy Briefs by the author

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