Galaxy Brain

Hank Green, a longtime internet creator and cofounder of educational media company Complexly, joins to discuss the current state of the web. He reflects on a time when the internet felt personal and serendipitous, contrasting it with today's algorithm-driven misery machine. They explore the rise of outrage in content, the trust shift from institutions to creators, and how TikTok's algorithms impact user experiences. Green advocates for joy and authenticity as a counter to online negativity, leaving listeners cautiously hopeful about the future of the internet.

The internet has warped public life: Politicians behave like influencers, the economy resembles a casino, and people can no longer agree upon a consensus reality. New conspiracy theories, memes, and main characters seem to pop up every day. A constant war is on for your attention, and it’s easy to feel lost. Each week, Galaxy Brain and its host, Charlie Warzel, invite you into conversations to make sense of the fire hose of information. Is AI destroying our ability to think? Do your grandparents have a screen-time problem? Galaxy Brain looks beyond the algorithm and anchors you to the real—however strange it may be. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices