Real Time with Bill Maher Ep. #578: Tristan Harris, Jennifer Rubin, Richard Ojeda
Sep 25, 2021
Tristan Harris, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, discusses the dark side of engagement algorithms and their detrimental effect on teenage mental health. Jennifer Rubin, an opinion columnist at The Washington Post, shares insights on political accountability following the Capitol riot. Together, they explore the intersections of technology and social discourse, scrutinizing how sensationalism impacts our democracy and urging for a more rational dialogue about these pressing issues.
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Facebook's Algorithm and Political Negativity
- Facebook's algorithm changes impact user behavior, rewarding negativity in political discourse.
- This creates a funhouse mirror effect, amplifying divisive content and hindering productive conversations.
The Problem with Engagement-Based Business Models
- The core problem with social media isn't censorship, but the engagement-based business model.
- This model prioritizes outrage and addiction, creating a 'civilizational bad trip' and warping our minds.
Suppression of Lab Origin Theory
- For four months, discussions about the coronavirus's lab origin were suppressed on Facebook.
- This suppression stemmed from the topic becoming politicized, hindering open conversation and investigation.