Fictitious reality is constructed not least with the help of data. A popular method is to reinterpret correlations of statistical data into causal relationships. A very good article by Christian Stöcker: Bestseller author about “Einsamkeit Die Methode Spitzer”, in: Spiegel Online 11.03.2018 analyses the method, how bestseller authors set opinion trends without a factual or scientific basis. It’s about Manfred Spitzer’s book: Manfred Spitzer: Einsamkeit. Die unerkannte Krankheit. Droemer Verlag 2018 ISBN: 978-3-426-27676-1..

The Spitzer method sums up Stöcker:
“- that Spitzer regularly reinterprets correlations to causal connections; that he cites studies highly selectively and always omits what does not fit his theses;
– that he constantly uses absurd analogies tailored to the generation of fear, such as the comparison of X-rays and digital media;
– that he, like many others, pretends that “addiction” in the context of the media is a generally accepted scientific category;
– and above all, that with the job title “brain researcher and psychiatrist”, always prominently placed by himself and his publishing house, he suggests that his works are not opinion contributions but scientifically proven facts.”
He uses the same method in his theses on digital dementia (Manfred Spitzer: Digitale Demenz – Wie wir uns und unsere Kinder um den Verstand bringen, Droemer Verlag 2013 ISBN: 978-3-426-42372-1) See also the article by Werner Bartens :“Digitale Demenz“ von Manfred Spitzer. Krude Theorien, populistisch montiert, Süddeutsche Zeitung 9. September 2012 and the analysis  Appel, M. & Schreiner, C. (2015). Leben in einer digitalen Welt: Wissenschaftliche Befundlage und problematische Fehlschlüsse. Stellungnahme zur Erwiderung von Spitzer (2015). Psychologische Rundschau, 66, 119-123.
As bestsellers and in talk shows, false trends are set with correlating data that are not only politically fatal in their direct consequences. Citizens are also deprived of the opportunity to realistically process their own experiences.