How has social media contributed to societal division?

Social media platforms, particularly after 2009 with features like the 'like' button and algorithmic feeds, transformed public conversation into an 'outrage machine.' This connectivity incentivizes inauthentic communication, intimidation, and amplification of extreme views, making it harder to find truth and foster understanding.

What are proposed solutions for the negative impact of social media?

A key proposal is identity verification for major platforms to increase accountability and reduce anonymous trolling and intimidation. This doesn't require public display of real names but ensures users are real individuals, fostering a more constructive virtual public square.

Why is Donald Trump's support so mystifying to some observers?

Many find it perplexing that Trump supporters often dismiss or minimize his dishonesty, bluster, and lack of understanding on complex issues. This is attributed to motivated reasoning, where supporters focus on whether they *can* believe something ('can I believe it?') rather than objective evidence ('is it true?').

What is the 'exhausted majority' in American politics?

It refers to a large group of Americans identified by the organization More In Common who are generally reasonable and not highly polarized. They are distinct from more vocal and extreme partisan groups who often dominate public discourse.

How might the COVID-19 vaccine development impact the 2020 election?

A rapid vaccine breakthrough could be perceived as Trump's prediction of the virus 'magically going away' coming true, potentially boosting his re-election chances despite ongoing concerns about his administration's competence in handling the pandemic.

What are the main concerns about Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign?

Concerns include the Tara Reade allegations, the perception of his 'senescence' (communication and memory issues), and a potential lack of enthusiasm from key Democratic constituencies, which could affect voter turnout.

How has 'safetyism' affected younger generations like Gen Z?

The increasing emphasis on safetyism since the 1990s, characterized by overprotection and reduced opportunities for risk-taking, has led to Gen Z being more fragile, anxious, and depressed compared to previous generations. Early exposure to social media is also identified as a significant factor.

What is the proposed age limit for social media access for children?

Given evidence that social media is particularly harmful to middle school girls, it's suggested that access be discouraged until age 14 or later, with a focus on implementing school-wide policies to manage this transition.

How does social media impact adolescent girls differently?

Research suggests that heavy social media use is consistently linked to increased depression and anxiety, especially in girls. Public shaming and constant self-monitoring on these platforms appear particularly detrimental to middle school-aged girls.

What are the potential benefits of adversity in childhood?

While children need protection from certain extreme dangers, a moderate level of adversity can be beneficial, fostering resilience and 'antifragility.' This contrasts with 'safetyism,' which shields children from experiences that could help them develop coping mechanisms.

What is the significance of self-transcendence experiences?

Self-transcendent experiences, often explored through meditation or psychedelics, are of interest for their capacity to lead to profound moral transformations and shifts in one's understanding of the self.

Key Moments

A Conversation with Jonathan Haidt (Episode #204)

Sam Harris

Science & Technology4 min read66 min video

Jun 4, 2020|77,137 views|942|350

sam harris sam harris podcast waking up podcast waking up waking up with sam harris sam harris waking up waking up sam harris sam harris jordan peterson sam harris joe rogan author neuroscientist philosopher

Save to Pod

Key Moments

TL;DR

Discussion navigates polarization, social media's impact, and the search for truth amidst societal division.

Key Insights

Political polarization in the US is driven by value-based coalitions and amplified by social media, creating echo chambers and hostility.

Social media platforms, particularly since 2009, have become 'outrage machines' by prioritizing engagement through likes and retweets, fostering inauthenticity and intimidation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing societal divisions and exposed the fragility of public discourse, highlighting epistemological challenges.

A lack of intellectual diversity and the rise of orthodoxy in academia hinder the pursuit of truth and productive problem-solving.

Social media negatively impacts adolescent mental health, especially for girls, by increasing anxiety, depression, and self-harm.

Navigating truth in the modern era is increasingly difficult due to motivated reasoning and the erosion of universally trusted information sources.

THE RISE OF POLITICAL POLARIZATION

Jonathan Haidt explains that political polarization in the US has escalated significantly since the 1970s and 80s. Initially, parties were more ideologically mixed, allowing for bipartisan deals. However, a sorting process has occurred, aligning parties with specific psychological profiles and values. This has led to the perception of opposing sides as inherently evil, rather than simply having different interests, making compromise increasingly difficult. Factors like urban-rural divides and racial demographics have further entrenched these splits.

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN PUBLIC DISCOURSE

Haidt argues that social media platforms, particularly after 2009 with the introduction of features like the 'like' button and algorithmic news feeds, have fundamentally altered human connectivity. This shift from private communication to public performance, where communication is rated by an audience, fosters inauthenticity, dishonesty, and intimidation. These platforms have become 'outrage machines' that amplify division and make genuine understanding across different viewpoints exceedingly challenging.

EPIDEMIC AS AN EPISTEMOLOGICAL CRISIS

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a profound crisis in epistemology, or the theory of knowledge. Misinformation, suppression of information, and politically motivated spin have made it incredibly difficult to ascertain objective truths about the virus's severity, lethality, and appropriate responses. Vested interests and differing economic impacts of lockdowns further complicate clear thinking, leading to widespread motivated reasoning that makes people unsusceptible to differing arguments or data.

THE CHALLENGE OF FINDING TRUTH IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Haidt posits that in areas concerning political and moral issues, it has become harder to find the truth than it was twenty or thirty years ago, despite technological advancements. The dynamics of science and social inquiry are corrupted when large sums of money or political power are at stake. Motivated reasoning, where people seek evidence to confirm existing beliefs rather than objectively assess it, is rampant. This, coupled with a lack of universally trusted sources, makes productive dialogue and consensus-building nearly impossible.

ACADEMIC ORTHODOXY AND THE HETERODOX ACADEMY

Haidt discusses the problem of orthodoxy within academia, especially in social sciences and humanities, where dissent can lead to punishment. This lack of intellectual diversity hinders the pursuit of truth, as articulated by John Stuart Mill. To address this, he co-founded the Heterodox Academy, aiming to promote intellectual diversity and viewpoint diversity within higher education, recognizing that truth-seeking requires open inquiry and the challenging of prevailing ideas.

THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH

Research indicates that social media use is particularly detrimental to the mental health of girls, significantly increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm. Unlike general screen time, heavy social media engagement shows a consistent negative correlation with well-being. This is exacerbated by public shaming and the pressure for constant validation, which are especially harmful during the vulnerable middle school years. Systemic solutions, like delaying social media access until high school, are proposed.

THE 2020 ELECTION AND POLITICAL FERVOR

The upcoming 2020 election is dominated by the pandemic and intense political division. Haidt expresses concern over the potential for heightened chaos if Donald Trump is re-elected, given his perceived damage to democracy and global standing. He also notes the challenge of enthusiasm for Joe Biden, whose candidacy might be weakened by allegations and a perceived lack of vitality, potentially fueled by negative partisanship where voters are driven more by opposition to one candidate than support for another.

RETHINKING PUBLIC SQUARES AND FREE SPEECH

Haidt advocates for identity verification on major social media platforms to foster accountability and reduce anonymous trolling and intimidation. He distinguishes between freedom of speech and freedom of reach, arguing that platforms do not have an obligation to amplify all voices. This proposed change aims to create a healthier virtual public square without infringing on protected speech, focusing instead on the structure and norms of online interaction.

THE MYSTERY OF TRUMP SUPPORTER LOYALTY

A significant puzzle is the fervent loyalty of many Trump supporters, who often dismiss or rationalize away his perceived flaws like dishonesty or lack of understanding. Haidt attributes this partly to 'motivated reasoning,' where individuals seek permission to believe what they want. The organizing ideology for some appears less about a comprehensive worldview and more about a repudiation of the status quo and a desire to disrupt previous norms.

THE FUTURE OF GEN Z AND PERSONAL GROWTH

While Gen Z faces daunting economic prospects, paradoxically, the current crisis might offer a reset from the 'safetyism' that has made them fragile. The overprotection and reduced opportunities for risk-taking have contributed to increased anxiety and depression. The pandemic could potentially foster resilience and a re-evaluation of values, leaning into the concept of 'antifragility,' where individuals become stronger when exposed to adversity, rather than merely becoming more cautious.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Organizations

●Books

●Drugs & Medications

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Common Questions

The pandemic has amplified existing political and tribal schisms in society by creating an environment where differing interpretations of data and necessary responses are highly politicized. This leads to deeply entrenched, often unshakeable, beliefs on opposing sides.

Topics

Social Media Impact Technology & Innovation Society & Philosophy Media Literacy Political Polarization Youth Mental Health Politics & Policy Motivated Reasoning

Mentioned in this video

People

Jonathan Haidt

Guest on the Making Sense podcast, social psychologist specializing in morality and political polarization.

Mark Zuckerberg

CEO of Facebook, mentioned in the context of potential reforms for social media platforms.

Greg Lukianoff

Co-author of 'The Coddling of the American Mind,' contributing to the discussion on youth mental health and social media.

George W. Bush

Mentioned for his call for national unity after 9/11, which Donald Trump then criticized.

Brett Kavanaugh

His nomination is used as a comparison point for how allegations against political figures are treated differently in different contexts.

Tom Gilovich

Researcher at Cornell University who studied motivated reasoning, defining the 'can I believe it?' vs. 'must I believe it?' framework.

William James

Author of 'The Varieties of Religious Experience,' mentioned as an influence on Haidt's interest in self-transcendent moral transformations.

Karl Rove

Credited with calculating that negative partisanship and turnout were key strategies for winning elections, starting around 2004.

John Stuart Mill

Cited for his ideas on the importance of understanding both sides of an argument for intellectual integrity.

Bernie Sanders

Mentioned as a progressive candidate whose supporters might be disengaged with Joe Biden's campaign.

Donald Trump

Discussed extensively in relation to political polarization, the 2016 election, his communication style, and potential re-election in 2020.

Elizabeth Warren

Mentioned as a progressive candidate whose supporters might be disengaged with Joe Biden's campaign.

Jack Dorsey

CEO of Twitter, mentioned in the context of potential reforms for social media platforms.

Locations

Sweden

The 'Sweden model' of handling the pandemic is brought up as an alternative approach worth considering.

Drugs & Medications

Chloroquine

Mentioned in the context of misinformation, where Fox News falsely claimed it was good.

Remdesivir

Mentioned in the context of misinformation, where Fox News falsely claimed it was bad.

Media

The Washington Post

Mentioned as a source of fact-checking that Trump supporters might dismiss due to perceived left-wing bias.

Companies

Twitter

Discussed as a platform that has fundamentally changed human connectivity and contributed to polarization and intimidation, likened to a garbage can fight.

Facebook

Identified as a platform whose design changes in the late 2000s significantly altered human connectivity, fostering inauthenticity and intimidation.

Books

The Righteous Mind

Jonathan Haidt's book that influenced his shift towards understanding conservative ideas and cross-partisan communication.

The Coddling of the American Mind

A book co-authored by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff, discussing the overprotection of children and the negative effects of social media.

Organizations

Snopes

A fact-checking organization that Trump supporters might dismiss due to perceived left-wing bias.

Heterodox Academy

An organization founded by Jonathan Haidt to promote intellectual diversity and combat orthodoxy in academia.