The Gray Area with Sean Illing How social media makes us antisocial
Nov 11, 2019
Andrew Marantz, a staff writer at The New Yorker and author of "Antisocial," dives deep into the dark side of social media. He discusses how algorithms prioritize emotional engagement, fueling polarization and enabling extremist views. Marantz critiques Mark Zuckerberg's understanding of free speech and explains how figures like Mike Cernovich manipulate social media for influence. The conversation also touches on the rise of online toxicity and the role of social justice in exacerbating divisive debates, shedding light on the complexities of modern communication.
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Structured Speech
- Social media platforms structure speech online through algorithms, favoring certain types of content.
- This isn't truly "free speech" because algorithms amplify some voices while reducing others.
Zuckerberg's Disingenuous Defense
- Zuckerberg's defense of Facebook frames it as protecting free speech by giving everyone a voice.
- This is disingenuous, as algorithms amplify emotionally engaging content, not necessarily promoting true free expression.
Cernovich's Manipulation
- Andrew Marantz observed Mike Cernovich manipulating social media trends from his kitchen table.
- Cernovich used Periscope and Twitter to create viral hashtags that influenced mainstream media.
