Strong Message Here Elections Aren't Won on Twitter (with Phil Wang and Marianna Spring)
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Jan 15, 2026 Marianna Spring, BBC's Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent, joins Phil Wang to delve into the shifting landscape of political discourse shaped by social media. They explore how platforms like X are losing influence in politics and the dangers of rushing to judgment in response to tragedies, highlighted by the Minneapolis shooting incident. The conversation also addresses how algorithms impact public trust in facts and the rising issues of misinformation and partisan narratives. Finally, they tackle the complexities of AI and social media regulation.
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Taskmaster Left Phil More Combative
- Phil Wang describes how Taskmaster tasks kept him in problem-solving mode for days afterward.
- He says the experience made him temporarily more arrogant and combative.
Calling It 'Twitter' Reveals Old Thinking
- Marianna Spring argues calling the platform 'Twitter' shows a 2016 mindset and misses how X has changed politics.
- The algorithmic shift means X now promotes different, often more extreme content than old Twitter.
Algorithms Turn Niche Into Mainstream
- Viral stories often start small but algorithms amplify them until they feel universal.
- Marianna Spring says recommendation systems can turn niche outrage into perceived mainstream concern.