AFTER BABEL by Jonathan Haidt
How social media dissolved the mortar of society and made America stupid
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/
Historically, civilizations have relied on shared blood, gods, and enemies to counteract the tendency to split apart as they grow. But what is it that holds together large and diverse secular democracies such as the United States and India, or, for that matter, modern Britain and France?
Social scientists have identified at least three major forces that collectively bind together successful democracies: social capital (extensive social networks with high levels of trust), strong institutions, and shared stories. Social media has weakened all three.
Related:
Why American Teens Are So Sad
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/04/american-teens-sadness-depression-anxiety/629524/
Four forces are propelling the rising rates of depression among young people.
How social media dissolved the mortar of society and made America stupid
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/
Historically, civilizations have relied on shared blood, gods, and enemies to counteract the tendency to split apart as they grow. But what is it that holds together large and diverse secular democracies such as the United States and India, or, for that matter, modern Britain and France?
Social scientists have identified at least three major forces that collectively bind together successful democracies: social capital (extensive social networks with high levels of trust), strong institutions, and shared stories. Social media has weakened all three.
Related:
Why American Teens Are So Sad
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/04/american-teens-sadness-depression-anxiety/629524/
Four forces are propelling the rising rates of depression among young people.