The Rebooting Show BuzzFeed's Jonah Peretti on where social media went wrong
11 snips
Feb 17, 2025 In this engaging conversation, Jonah Peretti, CEO of BuzzFeed and herald of the 'Anti-Snarf' manifesto, dives deep into the evolution of social media. He shares insights on the shift from genuine connection to algorithm-driven manipulation, highlighting the addictive nature of platforms today. Jonah discusses BuzzFeed's ambitious pivot toward becoming a social network focused on positivity and user-generated content, while reflecting on the challenges of sustaining meaningful engagement in the current digital landscape.
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Social Media's Shift to Manipulation
- Social media algorithms evolved from persuasive to manipulative.
- This shift, marked by a quantitative change becoming qualitative, is like going from beer and wine to fentanyl.
Content Sharing as Social Expression
- BuzzFeed's early success stemmed from understanding that content sharing is social expression.
- Sharing content reflects identity, builds connections, and reveals values.
The Obama Era of Social Media
- During the "Obama era" of social media, positive and connecting content thrived.
- This reflected the platforms' openness and a cultural focus on multiculturalism and connection.
