Mahon McCann #65 - John Vervaeke - Social Media, Attention & Awakening From The Meaning Crisis
31 snips
Oct 21, 2022 
John Vervaeke, a cognitive science professor at the University of Toronto and creator of the 'Awakening from the Meaning Crisis' series, dives deep into the challenges of the attention economy and the impact of social media on our quest for truth. He explores how digital distractions can lead to loneliness, despite increased connectivity. The discussion also touches on innovative voting methods to combat polarization and the ethical dilemmas of AI in shaping user behavior, urging a reevaluation of values beyond mere economic success.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Social Media's Attention Problem
- Social media accelerates the spread of "bullshit" and distracts from truth-seeking.
- This is worsened by the decline of wisdom institutions and traditions.
Attention Economy vs. Rationality
- The attention economy negatively impacts rationality by disrupting proper attention allocation.
- This creates a vicious cycle, making us more susceptible to distractions and less able to cultivate wisdom.
Escaping the Vicious Cycle
- Focus on building an ecology of practices that improve attention allocation and self-deception detection.
- Explore how virtual platforms can support these practices and foster their growth.
