I feel like a good way of seeing internet, and a lot of the global systems (fast food, porn, addictive video games, drugs etc.) we've created is that they amplify - the good and the bad - human nature. Too much of anything is unhealthy.
Many of these things are concentrated, always-available versions of an "important thing" - food, relationships, novelty, power fantasies.
These systems we've created aren't revealing anything new, they are just taking advantage of what triggers our brains the most.
I completely disagree with "controversy, outrage and out-group animosity" are our common goals. They are just some, among many, items effective at grabbing our attention.
Many of these things are concentrated, always-available versions of an "important thing" - food, relationships, novelty, power fantasies.
These systems we've created aren't revealing anything new, they are just taking advantage of what triggers our brains the most.
I completely disagree with "controversy, outrage and out-group animosity" are our common goals. They are just some, among many, items effective at grabbing our attention.