Are a few people ruining the internet for the rest of us?
www.theguardian.com
Why does the online world seem so toxic compared with normal life? Our research shows that a small number of divisive accounts could be responsible – and offers a way out

I can’t abide an unnecessary question hed.

When I scroll through social media, I often leave demoralized, with the sense that the entire world is on fire and people are inflamed with hatred towards one another. Yet, when I step outside into the streets of New York City to grab a coffee or meet a friend for lunch, it feels downright tranquil. The contrast between the online world and my daily reality has only gotten more jarring.

Since my own work is focused on topics such as intergroup conflict, misinformation, technology and climate change, I’m aware of the many challenges facing humanity. Yet, it seems striking that people online seem to be just as furious about the finale of The White Lotus or the latest scandal involving a YouTuber. Everything is either the best thing ever or the absolute worst, no matter how trivial. Is that really what most of us are feeling? No, as it turns out. Our latest research suggests that what we’re seeing online is a warped image created by a very small group of highly active users.

  • reallykindasorta@slrpnk.net
    17·
    16 hours ago

    In a recent series of experiments, we paid people a few dollars to unfollow the most divisive political accounts on X. After a month, they reported feeling 23% less animosity towards other political groups. In fact, their experience was so positive that nearly half the people declined to refollow those hostile accounts after the study was over. And those who maintain their healthier newsfeed reported less animosity a full 11 months after the study.

    Found this bit interesting

    • P03 Locke@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      3·
      4 hours ago

      After a month, they reported feeling 23% less animosity towards other political groups.

      This sounds like a call to be willfully ignorant of the serious political shit going down around them. That’s how you get the average idiot who doesn’t understand why voting for a guy like Trump is a bad idea.

      You should be fucking angry and have more animosity towards other political groups, or you aren’t paying attention. Nazis should be called out.

      • reallykindasorta@slrpnk.net
        3·
        3 hours ago

        Yeah it’s kind of like the psychological advice to let go of things you can’t control. That’s fine when it’s your annoying boss (within limits) but not fine when it’s mass kidnappings.

    • tangentism@beehaw.org
      3·
      14 hours ago

      Spoon found in kitchen. More from Tom at 7

      SM is designed to react to clicks and content that riles people up and consequently creates more clicks. Consciously disengaging from the shit gibbons will make every ones life better but it goes against the base ‘more clicks = more ad revenue’

    • DragonSidedD@monero.town
      3·
      14 hours ago

      I delete all my social media periodically for similar reasons.

      Even communities of people who are really level headed and supportive, like academics and engineers. Eventually there is groupthink, tribalism, and generally people who I am over (and I’m sure it’s mutual)