How Social Media Divides Us

Summary

This transcript discusses the rising polarization in American political life, focusing on how social media intensifies divisions. It explains how design changes like the 'like' and 'retweet' buttons and algorithm-driven content have turned platforms into 'outrage machines,' amplifying emotions and tribal instincts. The content warns of the detrimental impact of outrage addiction on democracy and suggests solutions, such as slowing reactions, reducing bots, and presenting meaningful opposing viewpoints. However, structural reforms face resistance due to social media's engagement-driven business model. The video advocates for better science, policy, and design to counter polarization.

Takeaways

• 🌀 Polarization affects nearly every aspect of American political life, with news being shaped for voters rather than the other way around.
• 📅 As the 2020 presidential election approaches, the U.S. appears more divided, with protests and uprisings expected across the country.
• 📱 Social media plays a central role in modern activism and political debates, but its influence is worsening political polarization.
• 💻 Social media was designed to connect people, but certain features, such as the like and retweet buttons and algorithms, have amplified division and outrage.
• 🚨 Outrage-driven content keeps users engaged, benefiting social media platforms financially through longer screen time and more ad revenue.
• 🔥 Algorithms push emotionally charged content to the top, particularly outrage-inducing material, which can bind communities but also exacerbate divisions.
• 🍔 Social media outrage is likened to supernormal stimuli, similar to junk food, which triggers addictive emotional responses.
• 🎭 Exposure to opposing views online doesn't reduce polarization but can caricature the other side, leading people to entrench their beliefs.
• 🛠 Social media platforms could slow down impulsive reactions and promote meaningful engagement by presenting opposing viewpoints and authenticating user identities.
• 🔍 Policymakers and researchers should be involved in regulating and improving social media design to prevent further damage to democracy, but platforms currently lack the incentive to make these changes on their own.

Q & A

What is polarization and how does it affect American political life?

Polarization refers to the growing division between political ideologies in the U.S., leading to extreme partisan views. It affects almost every aspect of American political life, as voters and political discussions become more divided and less open to compromise.

How has social media contributed to the rise of polarization?

Social media has amplified polarization by shaping news to fit voters' biases, encouraging emotional and moral outrage through algorithms, and promoting content that keeps users engaged, often by fueling divisive political debates.

What are some of the key design features of social media that contribute to polarization?

Key design features include the introduction of the 'like' button, the 'retweet' button, and the use of algorithms that prioritize content based on its emotional impact, particularly outrage. These features turn social media into an 'outrage machine,' driving further division.

Why is outrage such a powerful emotion on social media platforms?

Outrage is a tribal emotion that helps bind together communities by uniting them against a common perceived threat. On social media, platforms reward this emotion by pushing outrage-inducing content to the top, making it highly engaging and addictive.

What are 'supernormal stimuli' and how do they relate to social media polarization?

'Supernormal stimuli' refer to exaggerated triggers that provoke a heightened response. On social media, outrage-inducing content acts as a supernormal stimulus, triggering more intense emotions than users would typically encounter in real life.

What are the consequences of a society addicted to outrage?

A society addicted to outrage loses its ability to focus on significant issues and reforms. Trivial matters often dominate public attention, making it harder to distinguish between genuinely important problems and minor disagreements.

Is polarization caused by echo chambers, and does exposure to opposing viewpoints help reduce it?

Polarization is not solely caused by echo chambers. Research shows that mere exposure to opposing viewpoints often increases polarization, as people may caricature and dismiss the other side. It’s the context of the exposure that matters, not just the exposure itself.

What role does social media's business model play in promoting polarization?

Social media platforms rely on advertising revenue, which is driven by user engagement. To maximize profits, these platforms design algorithms that promote content likely to keep users engaged—often outrage-inducing content—leading to greater polarization.

What suggestions have been made to reduce polarization on social media?

Some suggestions include slowing down the speed at which users can react to content, presenting meaningful opposing viewpoints, using AI to flag and confirm toxic content before posting, and removing fake accounts to ensure that real people are behind interactions.

What can policymakers do to address the impact of social media on polarization?

Policymakers could encourage reforms in social media design, such as identity authentication and stricter content moderation. However, current incentives for companies do not prioritize these changes, and policymakers need better understanding and research to drive effective legislation.