I appreciated article. There is an uncomfortable irony however, as the request to share this in the 21st century means using the Skinner boxes. Since cancelling all my accounts but one - and I only scan that for news - I'm conflicted about supporting this newsletter and this story there. Will sharing this info with a couple million addicts make any difference?
I think so because, despite the insidious way it's been built, the internet is still a core part of how we relate to each other and socialize. We can better use it with intention if we understand how its incentives really operate (and hopefully transition toward something better)
To give an example, when mass media first emerged, Karl Kraus and others wrote some brilliant criticisms of how it exploited crowds and emotions. Incentives then were terrible, and it was controlled by monopolistic barons who exploited the public trust. Critics wanted to see modern media be something more conducive to sociality and understanding. Kraus still widely published his magazine and was part of the conversation, despite hating the press and what it had become
I appreciated article. There is an uncomfortable irony however, as the request to share this in the 21st century means using the Skinner boxes. Since cancelling all my accounts but one - and I only scan that for news - I'm conflicted about supporting this newsletter and this story there. Will sharing this info with a couple million addicts make any difference?
I think so because, despite the insidious way it's been built, the internet is still a core part of how we relate to each other and socialize. We can better use it with intention if we understand how its incentives really operate (and hopefully transition toward something better)
To give an example, when mass media first emerged, Karl Kraus and others wrote some brilliant criticisms of how it exploited crowds and emotions. Incentives then were terrible, and it was controlled by monopolistic barons who exploited the public trust. Critics wanted to see modern media be something more conducive to sociality and understanding. Kraus still widely published his magazine and was part of the conversation, despite hating the press and what it had become