The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Social Media

Social media has become the most powerful communication tool in history, but it has also corrupted the internet's potential to do good. Critics argue that social media poses a real threat to a pluralistic society, leading to behavior modification, depression, and unreal politics. Experts blame the algorithms and profit motives of Big Tech for exacerbating the worst parts of human nature. However, the source of certain polarizing beliefs and norms can be traced to small, strange corners of the internet. Despite its drawbacks, social media has helped people expand their moral circle, find partners and friends, and sometimes even leave religious cults.