EU referendum, brexit and the aftermath

Aren’t these petitions just the epitome of filter bubbles? Which is part of the reason we were all so shocked that ‘leave’ won in the first place.

A petition is a filter by definition. It explicitly asks for a demonstration of support. Complaining that it doesn't include dissenting opinions seems to be missing the point.

Petitions happen because the people organising/signing them know that other views are currently prevailing but wish their view to be heard.

So, no. Even though a lot of people will only have heard of the petition through their own bubble and only see supportive voices, the existence of the petition is a pretty big flag to say "Other people think differently". If some people are too blinkered to see that, it isn't petitions that made them that way.