Yes. Something that seems to be lost in the debate is _why should social media be allowed to exist at all?_
Social media is a tool that allows anyone to say anything, regardless of its basis in fact, and then amplify that statement to a level that is also unrelated to whether it is true (or nice, forgiving, generous).
A nasty or false statement actually gets amplified _more_ because algorithms optimise for engagement.
There’s then this weird argument of “we can’t act like a publisher because its logistically impossible to police the high volume of tweets.” Well, yes, I agree, it is logistically impossible. But the correct conclusion is not “therefore give up policing” but rather “don’t allow high volume broadcast of tweets.” That is, don’t allow this form of social media to exist.
This anything goes culture has not had great benefits for society, but has most certainly created great harm. The weaponisation of social media by enemy states is an obvious example. Making social more local, that is only your followers can see only your original content is a simple fix that probably works. It just makes less money.
Social media is a tool that allows anyone to say anything, regardless of its basis in fact, and then amplify that statement to a level that is also unrelated to whether it is true (or nice, forgiving, generous).
A nasty or false statement actually gets amplified _more_ because algorithms optimise for engagement.
There’s then this weird argument of “we can’t act like a publisher because its logistically impossible to police the high volume of tweets.” Well, yes, I agree, it is logistically impossible. But the correct conclusion is not “therefore give up policing” but rather “don’t allow high volume broadcast of tweets.” That is, don’t allow this form of social media to exist.
This anything goes culture has not had great benefits for society, but has most certainly created great harm. The weaponisation of social media by enemy states is an obvious example. Making social more local, that is only your followers can see only your original content is a simple fix that probably works. It just makes less money.