Ep 206 – Striving to do less
Deep Questions with Cal Newport
00:00
The Dangers of Universal Social Media Platforms
Our brain is wired to handle interactions with a limited number of people, not the millions on social media platforms like Twitter. Exposure to this vast, universalist social information context can lead to anxiety, anger, hyper-partisanship, and the spread of conspiracy theories. This exposure can trigger strong emotional responses akin to being rejected by a tribal faction. The design of social media platforms goes against our natural wiring, causing problems and negatively impacting mental health. Fragmentation and diversification of communication platforms may be a more suitable approach for the future, acknowledging the shortcomings of universal social media.
Play episode from 20:54
Transcript
