From: mk_thisisit
Max Fisher, a journalist for The New York Times, was nominated for the Cersa Pool Award in 2019 for an investigative report demonstrating how social media algorithms influence global chaos [01:06:00]. His book, “In the Modes of Chaos,” explores these conclusions [01:13:00]. Fisher initially expressed skepticism that social media could lead to death, but after years of study, tracking, and witnessing its impact on reality, he now believes it can indirectly cause fatalities [02:01:00].
Impact on Society and Human Behavior
While the effect of social media on an individual is relatively small [02:22:00], its operation on the scale of billions of people daily and its tendency to push politics in more dangerously divisive or hateful directions have significant consequences [02:31:00].
Fueling Violence and Hatred
Fisher’s investigations show that social media has fueled racial hatred and political polarization [07:20:00]. Examples include:
- The genocide in Myanmar [02:42:00], [07:07:00]
- Violence in Sri Lanka [02:44:00], [10:47:00]
- Communal violence in India [02:47:00]
- Other places where a significant number of people died due to racist or other violence triggered on these platforms [02:51:00].
These events, he argues, would not have occurred without the existence of these platforms [02:59:00]. Some platforms have even admitted to these extreme cases [03:03:00].
Algorithms and Engagement
The fundamental way social media platforms work involves algorithms that select what users see, how they see it, and in what order [05:08:00]. These systems are specifically designed to maximize user time spent on the platforms, which in turn generates more revenue [05:16:00]. Due to human nature, the most stimulating content that encourages prolonged engagement often includes:
- Fear of others [05:39:00]
- A sense of “us versus them” [05:42:00]
- Conspiracy theories [05:44:00]
- Hate [05:46:00]
- A sense of social outrage [05:46:00]
This mechanism was evident from the early days of Facebook’s News Feed in 2006. While most users liked the convenience, dissent groups formed. When users joined these anti-News Feed groups, the information appeared in their friends’ feeds. Since social outrage is a powerful attention-grabber, it created an “illusion of the majority,” making it seem like more people were angry than actually were, leading to an avalanche of new joins and increased traffic [11:57:00]. This early phenomenon demonstrated how even primitive algorithms could amplify outrage and disinformation, a trick that became much more powerful with advanced algorithms in communities already facing divisions [15:08:00].
Responsibility of Social Media Companies
While founders like Mark Zuckerberg likely intended to create something helpful, the people managing these companies had evidence from their own researchers, repeatedly warning that their platforms trigger behaviors leading to violence and death [03:40:00]. Facebook researchers, for instance, warned about the situation in Myanmar [03:58:00]. The fact that Mark Zuckerberg was aware of these warnings, even in specific cases predicting thousands of deaths, yet did not take action, makes the companies responsible for the deaths they failed to prevent [06:01:00].
Influence on Political Elections
Social media algorithms have had a significant impact on presidential elections in the United States, notably in 2016 and 2020 [17:19:00]. Although it’s difficult to quantify the exact number of votes influenced, the effects are dispersed, making users more polarized or susceptible to conspiracy theories [17:33:00].
During the 2016 US election, platforms like Facebook and Twitter artificially amplified far-right news sources such as Breitbart News, which focused on conspiracy theories and supported Donald Trump [18:01:00]. When these platforms altered their algorithms, Breitbart News’ audience “completely disappeared,” demonstrating how algorithms artificially amplified extremist content [18:24:00].
Regulation of Social Media
There is a growing consensus that current regulations, often focused on content moderation, are insufficient [21:33:00]. The problem lies in how platforms are designed to artificially promote content that fosters division and hatred [21:58:00]. The only effective way to regulate, many believe, is to introduce regulations that address the design of the systems themselves, specifically targeting algorithms and how content is promoted [22:11:00]. In Europe, efforts like GDPR and ongoing work on AI regulations are underway, while the United States currently lacks social media regulation [21:01:00].
Addiction and Human Connection
Social media platforms are designed to be addictive, utilizing the best minds in artificial intelligence and computer programming to maximize user engagement [09:35:00]. Despite widespread criticism, users often find themselves still using these platforms due to their effectiveness, making it challenging to navigate the modern world without them [09:00:00].
Crisis of Democracy
Fisher notes that the crisis of democracy began in the 1990s, before social media became prevalent [29:57:00]. However, social media undeniably accelerates polarization and exacerbates the crisis [30:08:00]. It profoundly shapes public perception, influencing what news people care about and how it impacts their sense of identity and politics [30:26:00].