Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon and its' relevance in the news ...
In short, Baader-Meinhof phenomenon is a frequency bias. You notice something new, at least it’s new to you. It could be a word, a breed of dog, a particular style of house, or just about anything. Suddenly, you’re aware of that thing all over the place.
In reality, there’s no increase in occurrence. It’s just that you’ve started to notice it ...
Although it’s usually harmless, Baader-Meinhof phenomenon can cause problems in scientific research.
The scientific community is made up of human beings and, as such, they are not immune to frequency bias. When that happens, it’s easier to see evidence confirming the bias while missing evidence against it.
A good example is the data we see in the way of tornadoes and the traditional "Tornado Alley" that spans the plains of North Texas though Oklahoma, Kansas & Nebraska. Since there is a larger concentration of storm chasers in these areas, especially in Oklahoma due to the Storm Prediction Center and University of Oklahoma Meteorology School there are naturally more confirmed events; whereas, looking closer the most tornadoes occur more South and East in an area referred to as "Dixie Alley". The minds of most; however, naturally think of the classic "Tornado Alley" area.
Knowing this, the news media can literally take anything and make it a global headline overnight.
Today it's COVID-19 but what about the many other diseases that kill just as many or more but are seldom discussed ?