For over a decade, social media has reigned supreme, transforming society in profound ways. At first, these platforms were hailed by companies like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for their ability to connect people in unprecedented ways. Catchphrases such as Twitter’s “What’s Happening?” and Instagram’s “Capture and Share the World’s Moments” painted a rosy picture of a future where individuals could easily connect and share with others.
Nevertheless, as Charlie Munger emphasized, incentives play a crucial role in shaping outcomes. Beneath the surface of these seemingly positive platforms lay a dark incentive structure that began to shape the psychological experiences of billions of users. As attention spans shortened, political discourse became more polarized and feelings of loneliness and anxiety soared. The online harms spilled over into offline spaces, resulting in tragic and sometimes fatal outcomes.
As social media continued to tighten its grip on our daily lives, it became increasingly clear that the initial promise of connection and sharing was overshadowed by the negative impact of these platforms on mental health and societal well-being. The unseen force driving these platforms was pushing society in a direction that many had not anticipated, leading to a reevaluation of social media’s role in our lives.
