The Rest Is Politics: Leading 138. The Anxious Generation: How Silicon Valley Has Rewired Our Brains (Jonathan Haidt)
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Jun 8, 2025 
Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist and author of 'The Anxious Generation,' joins Rory and Alastair to unpack the anxieties plaguing today's youth due to social media. They tackle the detrimental effects unregulated platforms have on democracy and child safety. The conversation dives into the alarming rise of misinformation and polarization in politics, stressing the need for ethical tech practices. Haidt offers insights on overcoming smartphone addiction and advocates for healthier interactions with technology to protect mental health.
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Polarization Overrides Morality
- Political polarization intensifies loyalty at all costs, making immoral or illegal acts excusable if done by 'my side'.
- The Bedouin saying illustrates growing tribalism undermining democratic norms in the U.S.
Economic Dynamism vs Decency
- The U.S. prioritizes economic dynamism at the cost of decency, unlike Europe which values decency more.
- This imbalance leads to many Americans living less decent lives despite higher GDP growth.
Social Media Viral Shift Impact
- The introduction of the like and retweet buttons made social media addictive and viral, changing political discourse drastically.
- This shift fuels polarization and harms teen mental health by overloading attention resources.