In this engaging conversation, social psychology professor Jonathan Haidt, known for his works on moral reasoning, delves into the alarming impact of social media on American life. He argues that platforms intended for connection have instead amplified division and undermined democracy. Haidt discusses the evolution of online discourse since the introduction of the 'like' button, the importance of viewpoint diversity, and the psychological effects of public criticism. He proposes thoughtful solutions to navigate these challenges and restore meaningful communication.
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insights INSIGHT
Shift to Performance
Social media shifted from connection to performance after the introduction of the like and retweet buttons in 2009.
This change amplified anger and outrage, leading to a decline in thoughtful engagement.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Campus Outrage
College campuses became centers of outrage in 2014.
Students protested Halloween costumes and racial politics, causing disruptions and fear among faculty.
insights INSIGHT
Institutional Shifts
Three elements changed institutional dynamics: weaponized empathy, the rise of HR as an ideological weapon, and the global reach of individual voices.
These changes created an environment of fear and self-censorship.
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The book explores how the ideas 'what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker,' 'always trust your feelings,' and 'life is a battle between good people and evil people' have become embedded in American culture. These 'Great Untruths' contradict basic psychological principles and ancient wisdom, leading to a culture of safetyism that interferes with young people’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. The authors investigate various social trends, including fearful parenting, the decline of unsupervised play, and the impact of social media, as well as changes on college campuses and the broader context of political polarization in America.
Why Nations Fail
The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty
James A. Robinson
Daron Acemoglu
Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson argue that the success or failure of nations is determined by their political and economic institutions. They present a comprehensive theory based on 15 years of research, using historical examples from the Roman Empire, the Mayan city-states, the Soviet Union, and various other regions to demonstrate how inclusive institutions foster economic growth and prosperity, while extractive institutions lead to poverty and stagnation. The authors discuss critical questions such as China's economic growth, the future of the United States, and the most effective ways to help countries move from poverty to prosperity[1][4][5].
The Constitution of Knowledge
Jonathan Rauch
The Revolt of the Public
And the Reckoning of the West
Martin Gurri
Martin Gurri's "The Revolt of the Public" analyzes the growing disconnect between established elites and the general public, exploring the rise of populism and anti-establishment sentiment. The book examines how the rapid dissemination of information through the internet has empowered ordinary citizens, leading to a challenge to traditional power structures. Gurri argues that the elites' inability to adapt to this changing information landscape has fueled public anger and frustration. The book's central theme is the erosion of trust in institutions and the rise of alternative sources of information and authority. Gurri's analysis offers insights into the underlying causes of political polarization and the challenges facing democratic societies in the digital age.
Outrage Machine
How Tech Is Amplifying Discontent, Disrupts Democracy—And What We Can Do About It
Jonathan Haidt
Tobias Rose-Stockwell
In 'Outrage Machine', Tobias Rose-Stockwell examines the impact of social media on societal discourse and democracy. He argues that these platforms unintentionally reward outrage and penalize tolerance, leading to distorted public conversations and deepened political divisions. The book provides historical context and proposes realistic solutions to address these challenges.
Perhaps you’ve noticed that the thing we call “social media'' is deeply antisocial—the thing that promised to unite us has done precisely the opposite.
A lot of people have tried to explain why. They blame Mark Zuckerberg. Or Jack Dorsey. Or the attention-stealing algorithms of TikTok. Or capitalism. Or human nature.
But the best explanation I have read to date was just published in the Atlantic by my guest today Jonathan Haidt. It is a must-read essay, as are Jonathan’s books, “The Righteous Mind” and “The Coddling of the American Mind.”
Our conversation today, fitting the importance of this subject, is long and deep. It spans the advent of the like button–and how that transformed the way we use the internet–to Jon’s argument that social media is making us unfit for democracy. And that unless we change course we stand to lose everything.
Honestly with Bari Weiss 
