 Several authors have used variants on the epistemic network model to explore the phenomenon of “polarization” within  groups.[8]  Both Olsson (2013) and O’Connor and Weatherall (2018) consider versions of the model where actors place less trust in the evidence (or testimony) of those who do not share their beliefs. A vaccine skeptic, for instance, might be skeptical of evidence shared by a physician, but accepting of evidence from a fellow skeptic. This can lead to stable, polarized camps that each ignore evidence and testimony coming from the other  camp.[9]  The two sets of results just described help answer the question: in light of real social and learning biases, what can go wrong? And: how can we shape good epistemic networks to counteract these biases? (These questions tie into how we should understand democracy in light of social epistemology.)