Magical Overthinkers Overthinking About Ragebait
13 snips
Nov 26, 2025 
Lee C. Camp, a theologian and ethics professor known for his podcast No Small Endeavor, joins to explore the phenomenon of ragebait. They delve into how anger is weaponized for profit, creating a cycle of division and doomscrolling. Lee reflects on our addiction to outrage, the importance of discernment in anger, and finding constructive ways to engage online. He highlights the difference between short-term anger and love-driven social change, encouraging listeners to seek thoughtful content while avoiding the trap of algorithmic polarization.
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Anger Is The Attention Economy's Fuel
- Rage bait is a calculated part of the attention economy that monetizes anger to keep eyeballs on screens.
- Platforms and creators exploit anger because angry reactions boost algorithmic engagement and ad revenue.
Rage Bait Warps How Convictions Are Expressed
- Rage bait doesn't create new convictions so much as push people to become the worst version of their existing convictions.
- When we act ugly about beliefs we repel others and weaken persuasion.
Claim Agency Over Comment Section Habits
- Recognize that you may be addicted to reading hostile comment sections and claim your agency to stop.
- Choose not to read or engage, enlist friends, or use addiction strategies to break the habit.
