The Internet is Worse Than Ever – Now What?
Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell・10 minutes read
Almost half of Americans fear a civil war, while social media is seen as a major factor in increasing extremism and reducing empathy. Research suggests that social media uniquely impacts brain function, leading to increased polarization, but tools like Ground News can help promote media literacy and a broader perspective.
Insights
- Social media is recognized as a significant factor in exacerbating societal divisions and promoting extremism, impacting brain function uniquely, contrary to common beliefs.
- Returning to smaller online communities, similar to the pre-social media internet, is suggested as a potential solution to reduce social sorting, enhance understanding, and mitigate the effects of online polarization.
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Recent questions
How do Americans view the possibility of a civil war?
Nearly half anticipate a civil war, with one in five justifying political violence.
What is blamed for the global division of people into opposing teams?
Social media is blamed for dividing people globally.
How does social media impact brain function?
Research suggests social media may impact brain function uniquely.
What is the role of online filter bubbles in social media?
Online filter bubbles show content aligning with one's views.
How can social sorting be reduced in the digital age?
Returning to smaller online communities may reduce social sorting.
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Summary
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"Social Media Polarization and Civil War"
- Nearly half of Americans in 2022 anticipate a civil war in the near future, with one in five believing political violence is justified.
- Social media is blamed for dividing people globally into opposing teams, leading to increased extremism and decreased empathy.
- Research suggests that social media may impact brain function uniquely, contrary to common beliefs.
- Online filter bubbles, where algorithms show content aligning with one's views, are not as extreme as thought; real-life interactions are more ideologically isolated.
- Human brains evolved to prioritize social cohesion, making disagreement and conflict challenging to process in the digital age.
- The social internet exacerbates social sorting, where brains categorize individuals based on worldviews, leading to extreme polarization.
- Returning to smaller online communities, akin to the pre-social media internet, may reduce social sorting and enhance understanding.
- Ground News offers tools to critically analyze news sources, compare coverage, and understand biases, promoting media literacy and a broader perspective.
