Intelligence Squared

The Social Media Addiction-Machine, with Richard Seymour and Jamie Bartlett

Oct 8, 2019
Richard Seymour, a Marxist intellectual and author of "The Twittering Machine," joins tech journalist Jamie Bartlett to dissect the dark side of social media. They discuss how platforms, once seen as tools for liberation, have morphed into exploitative machines that exacerbate loneliness. The duo dives into the psychology of trolling and its impact on public discourse, examining how anonymity can unleash aggression. They also explore the addictive nature of technology, urging listeners to reconsider their relationship with digital spaces and the need for a public service internet.
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INSIGHT

Social Media's True Purpose

  • Social media ills like trolling, addiction, and fake news are not inherent to technology itself.
  • These platforms are designed to make users work by provoking them into producing content.
INSIGHT

Amplifying Existing Problems

  • Social media magnifies pre-existing societal issues like depression and addiction.
  • It offers a substitute for declining real-world social interaction, but this cure is worse than the disease.
ANECDOTE

The Micro-Celebrity Trap

  • We're all becoming mini-celebrities, curating our online image.
  • This pursuit of online validation can be depressing, mirroring the higher suicide rates among actual celebrities.
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