Director Of Technology, Web Developer, MBA, BA in CS
So many people try to take extreme or controversial positions just to get attention and build a reputation that makes them money. It's why politics has become so polarized because controversy sells. Especially for media outlets. Ask Fox News or CNN. Peddle controversy and you get attention which makes you more money.
We, as a society, need to find a way to disincentivize these attitudes and extreme actions. Currently, they are heavily incentivized. It makes money. A LOT of money. Its basic capitalistic economics applied to publicly displayed views. Change those economics and the problem goes away (hopefully).
25 Replies25 Replies on Patrick Thurmond’s comment
Patrick Thurmond human nature eh. I remember a post from a social media founder on medium (the one escapes me) who said humans are the issue. We just need to de-dopamine and disincentive BS, outrage and bait
Well-rounded, authentic engineering leader and a rigorous engineer. Customer-obsessed, I have been successful mentoring engineers, improving process, and solving technical problems. I continually strive to improve.
I completely agree, which is why it's confounding to me why Lex gives a platform to exactly those people. Usually it is with the disclaimer that he's trying to be open-minded, or it rings of false equivalency.
Director Of Technology, Web Developer, MBA, BA in CS
Shawn Shahpari, AFC® I'm putting all news outlets and media into this category. Controversy sells and everyone knows it and these companies know how to use it to make a profit.
Nick Kedrov YUP!!! Hollywoodselling made Billions sellong BLACK TO THE WORLD. Now Hollywood is going to make Billions selling " MEXICAN " what ever that is ? Get my Book " The Fire of Life" Number One Book Ever sold in Academia!!!! Sold out on Amazon, Walmart, E Bay, and continues to sell abroad!! And I have never received a penny ! That's Life!!!!
Well-rounded, authentic engineering leader and a rigorous engineer. Customer-obsessed, I have been successful mentoring engineers, improving process, and solving technical problems. I continually strive to improve.
Robert Legorreta no don't be ridiculous, I don't mean the N-word. I meant my comment in response to the OP. The person mentioned that "many people try to take extreme or controversial positions" and I referred to "those people", meaning those people who try to take extreme or controversial positions.
Data Analyst who's only trying to reach equilibrium
Ulrich Hess Totally agree! Unfortunately the Department of Ag gives out most of the subsidies to large corporate farmers. Allowing them to lobby for rules that discriminate against smaller farmers.
Senior Proposal Manager | Water Strategic Pursuits Team at Stantec
If anonymity created by social media and the distance created by online platforms embolden your intelligent and kind friends to say awful things online, then perhaps that is their real self. The kindness you feel in real life may be a facade to ease in-person interaction. Good people should be good regardless of the venue and platform.
Additionally, algorithms don't create bad people ...algorithms propagate a message. If your friends react awfully in your feed, you should change your circle of friends.
4 Replies4 Replies on Vanessa Hahn, CPSM’s comment
Global AI Strategy & Product @ Google | Multiplying Creativity and Redefining Art @ <redacted>
I think we have a ways to go before it gets better for a few reasons:
(1) Anonymity is a powerful drug. Ex: gaming - If you're a woman, good luck going into a competitive game and not get a sexist remark. If you have a disability? People will harass you bc no repercussions. This applies to all anonymous online platforms.
(2) Even if not anonymous, a screen and distance between "asshole" and "target" reduces a sense of culpability for the asshole. Simply not having eye contact with someone can lead to emotional disinhibition. As one increases the number of visual and physical barriers between them and the person they are communicating with, empathy actually takes a marked dive down. Being online dehumanizes people, and in the age of AI, fake information, and influencers, continues to proliferate this idea that digital identity =/= real identity.
(3) Social media addiction has led to a massive "brain drain" especially in the US. Coupled with horrific primary education, we're starting to see an increasing number of media illiterate teenagers and young adults. This leads to a rise in extremist beliefs, a strong misogynistic mindset amongst young men, and the decay of intellectual curiosity. Ie. assholes
Social media algorithms are part of the problem, not the solution. They are tailored to fuel anger and controversy, and get people arguing with each other.. more engagement, more ad revenue. Appealing to the most base instincts of humanity unfortunately makes for a profitable business model. Until that changes, and a social media comes along that breaks the mould, and is ran for the betterment of humanity - not for obscene profits at humanitys' expense - I can only see a worsening of peoples online personas and attitudes to others.
