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TED Tech
How to stop doom scrolling – and have a better experience online with Jay Van Bavel (from ReThinking)
Nov 26, 2024
Jay Van Bavel, a psychology and neural science professor at NYU, delves into the darker side of the internet and offers insights on uplifting online experiences. He explains how sensationalist news captivates our attention and discusses the psychology of virality. The conversation ventures into the importance of sharing positive narratives, especially among youth facing mental health struggles. Van Bavel also highlights the need for clearer communication in addressing global challenges and examines the balance between national pride and camaraderie in sports.
34:48
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Quick takeaways
- Negative news captures attention due to psychological biases, perpetuating a cycle of anxiety and disengagement in online interactions.
- Curating social media feeds by unfollowing negative accounts can significantly enhance emotional well-being and foster a more positive online experience.
Deep dives
The Viral Phenomenon of Negative News
Negative news garners more attention and engagement due to human psychology's inherent bias towards threats and danger. Studies indicate that stories eliciting fear or outrage generate significantly more clicks than positive narratives, which perpetuates a cycle of negativity in the media. As the algorithms of social media platforms reward content that attracts attention, negative headlines proliferate, making individuals feel overwhelmed and helpless. This growing dissatisfaction leads to burnout and a decision to disengage from news consumption altogether.
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