The Esau McCaulley Podcast Why is the Internet so Angry?
Mar 13, 2025
Join Hannah Anderson, a writer finishing her MDiv at Duke, and Hannah King, associate pastor and upcoming author, as they tackle the internet's pervasive anger. They explore how rage has become currency online and how loneliness fuels this hostile atmosphere. Conversations touch on the impact of drumming up negativity through 'rage bait influencers' and the challenges writers face amidst harsh online feedback. The duo advocates for deeper community connections and healthier ways to express dissent in today's digital landscape.
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Bridging Mistrust with Validation
- Mistrust in expertise grows from perceived lies and failures, causing breakdown in public discourse.
- Validating people's experiences and knowledge can bridge divides while still maintaining critical dialogue.
Social Media Rage Experiment
- Esau McCaulley did a social media experiment posting a negative comment about his book to boost engagement.
- It worked in driving sales, but he took it down due to ethical concerns about using anger as a promotion tool.
Set Boundaries in Online Engagement
- Assess your values and goals early to avoid being pulled by anger-driven social media algorithms.
- Engage meaningfully but do not back down from setting respectful boundaries online.
