Argument Map
Social Media and Polarization
The Role of Human Evolution
Filter Bubble Myth
Your Real Life Filter Bubble
Impact of Social Media on Opinions
Promotion of Media Literacy
Consequences for Societal Glue
Possible Solutions
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Supporting Evidence
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Supporting Evidence
Supporting Evidence
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Supporting Evidence
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Introduction
Conclusion
Social Sorting on the Internet
Challenges of Modern Society
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Supporting Evidence:
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Supporting Evidence
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Supporting Evidence
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High levels of expectation for civil war and acceptance of political violence globally.
2022 statistics on Americans' expectations.
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Supporting Evidence
Social media is often blamed for increasing polarization.
Social media divides people into opposing teams.
People see themselves as part of opposing teams globally.
Social media makes people more extreme and less empathetic.
Extreme filter bubbles are largely rare.
Studies show little evidence of ideological isolation online.
Online individuals are constantly confronted with diverse opinions and worldviews.
Ideological isolation is more prominent in real life than online.
Real-world interactions are less diverse than online interactions.
The filter bubble exists more in real life than online.
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Human brains evolved for social cooperation and alignment.
Supporting Evidence
Evolutionary history shows that cooperation was essential for survival.
Physical proximity in small tribes created familiarity and alignment despite differences.
Increased diversity in towns and cities challenges our brains and communities.
The internet, especially social media, disrupts the mechanisms that once facilitated cooperation.
Modern society presents challenges for our evolved brains.
The internet leads to social sorting.
Your brain sorts people into teams based on worldviews.
Disagreement becomes a central part of identity, hindering understanding.
Social media amplifies extreme opinions.
Engagement-driven algorithms favor extreme and controversial content.
The internet simplifies and distorts disagreements, making opposing views seem almost evil.
Supporting Evidence
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Online polarization weakens societal glue.
Negative opinions about the "other team" dissolve social cohesion.
The two-party system in the US exacerbates team-based thinking.
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Supporting Evidence
Self-examination of beliefs and information sources is essential.
Older internet models (forums, blogs) were more fractured and diverse.
Solutions involve individual awareness and a return to smaller online communities.
Media literacy tools are crucial.
Ground News is introduced as a tool to help users think critically about information.
Critical evaluation of news sources helps in understanding the full picture.
Adapting to the information age requires understanding the impact of social media on our brains.
Supporting Evidence
Evolutionary processes are slow, so humans need to adapt to the challenges of the information age.
Being aware of the impact of social media on our brains is crucial for navigating a connected world.