Social Media: Destroying America?

From Jim Denison this week. I tried to edit this down as much as possible. Long but good:

Psychologist Jonathan Haidt explains the  changes we are witnessing: "the shattering of what seemed solid, the scattering of people who had been a community, not only between red and blue states but within the left and within the right, within universities, companies, professional associations, museums, and even families. Social scientists identified three major forces that bind together successful democracies: extensive social networks with high levels of trust, strong institutions, and shared stories." Over the last ten years, social media has weakened all three.

Haidt points to 2009 when Facebook users could publicly "like" posts and Twitter users could "retweet". Facebook developed algorithms to bring each user content more likely to generate a "like" or "share." Research showed that posts that trigger emotions—especially anger—are the most likely to be shared. By 2013 social media had become a "game" creating "viral" / demeaning content which became the norm. Users were guided by reward and punishment dynamics "almost perfectly designed to bring out our most moralistic and least reflective selves. This is especially dangerous for democracy.

The Framers of the US Constitution knew democracy had an Achilles' heel: it depended on the collective judgment of the people. James Madison noted that communities are subject to "the turbulency and weakness of unruly passions." In response, the founders created a sustainable republic, with mechanisms requiring compromise, giving leaders insulation from the mania of the moment while holding them accountable to the people through elections. When citizens lose trust in elected leaders, health authorities, the courts, the police, universities, and the integrity of elections, then every decision becomes contested; every election becomes a life-and-death struggle to save the country from the other side."

Analyzing the impact of social media on our culture, Haidt notes "a democracy depends on acceptance of rules, norms, and institutions." Social media undermines such acceptance as polarizing. Often false content becomes increasingly pervasive and influential. Haidt believes future effects will be far worse: "artificial intelligence is close to enabling the limitless spread of highly believable disinformation." The AI program GPT-3 is "already so good you can give it a topic and a tone, and it will spit out many essays with perfect grammar and a high level of coherence." Deep-fake videos, images, and text will "quickly become inconceivably easy". American factions and adversaries such as Russia's Internet Research Agency and terrorist groups will polarize our society and spread distrust.

The consequences for children are especially damaging. As Haidt notes, they are "less likely to figure out who we are as a people, less likely to share such a story with those who were educated in a different decade." They are growing up in a world with no objective norms, no north on the compass, and only their social media friends for moral guidance.

The World Health Organization notes depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders are "among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents." Four forces propelling the rising rates of depression among young people are (1) Social media use subjects teenagers to the judgment of friends and teachers, (2) a decline in sociality as today's teens spend less time with friends or playing sports, (3) news of the world's stresses such as gun violence, "climate change", and the divisive political environment, and (4) modern parenting strategies accommodate children rather than helping them cope with challenges. These forces relate to Haidt's fears regarding the pervasiveness and corrosiveness of social media in contemporary culture. See Mark Legg's article, "Why are teens sadder, lonelier, and more depressed than ever before?".

Another consequence: as social media use has risen, the religious affiliation of 18-35-year-olds has plummeted. In 1998, 73% of this demographic claimed to be Christians; today the number has fallen to below half. In Democracy in America Alexis de Tocqueville noted: "Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith." As faith declines, so will morality and ultimately the liberty that depends upon it. Two responses: thinking biblically and acting redemptively.

STEVE CARLTON  [SABR Bio] his record for most balks in a season was broken by Dave Stewart. Carlton balked 11 times in 1979. Stewart balked 16 times in 1988. Carlton owns the record for career balks with 90. Pitching for St. Louis on 15-Sep-1969, Carlton struck out 19 but gave up four runs and lost. He was the first pitcher to make more than $150,000 in a season, earning $165,000 1973.