Recovering Pessimist, Episode 006: Algorithmic Pessimism
Manage episode 498191467 series 3289922
In this episode, "Social Media Algorithms and Negativity Bias," we delve into how social media platforms are designed to exploit our inherent psychological tendency to focus on negative information. We explore how algorithms prioritize emotionally charged content, leading to addictive engagement loops, and highlight how internal documents (like the Leaked Facebook Files) confirm that companies are aware of these harmful effects. We also examine the societal impacts, including increased mental health issues, polarization, and the spread of misinformation, before offering practical strategies for users to navigate this digital landscape and reclaim control over their online experience, even detailing extreme measures some take for a digital detox.
9 episodes