Big Technology Podcast Are We Having a Moral Panic About Instagram? — With NYT's Farhad Manjoo
Oct 27, 2021
Farhad Manjoo, a New York Times opinion columnist, dives into the heated debate surrounding Instagram's impact on youth. He argues that current criticisms may reflect deeper societal issues rather than just digital trends. The conversation touches on the complexities of digital parenting and the need for nuanced approaches to media consumption. Manjoo also shares personal reflections on cats, virtual reality, and how traditional media contributes to misinformation. This insightful discussion balances serious concerns with light-hearted moments.
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Instagram Criticism Parallels Past Media Scrutiny
- Farhad Manjoo believes the criticisms of Instagram are similar to past media criticisms.
- He argues the research on Instagram's harm isn't strong and resembles UI research, not psychological studies.
Social Media's Potential and Pitfalls
- Social media, when used correctly, can boost creativity and unconventional thinking.
- The challenge lies in maximizing positive uses while minimizing downsides.
Facebook's Engagement Model: A Double-Edged Sword
- Facebook's revenue model, based on engagement, can incentivize harmful content.
- Unlike transactional services like Apple or Amazon, Facebook's engagement model lacks inherent user benefit incentives.