Core Concepts
The rise of Big Tech has led to the proliferation of tribalism and polarization in society, undermining the humanistic values that were once central to the scientific enterprise.
Abstract
The content discusses how the rise of social media and digital content platforms has had an ironic impact on modern, technologically-advanced societies. Contrary to the expectation that these societies would be more humanistic and less prone to tribalism, the author argues that the ease of access to digital content has actually trivialized its perceived value and led to increased polarization and division.
The author notes that social media platforms, in particular, have contributed to the polarization of consumers by flooding the market with streams of content. This has resulted in a situation where people are more inclined to divide into "petty cliques" and "squabble over minutiae" to signal their allegiances, rather than recognizing their common, existential condition.
The author suggests that this tribalistic tendency of Big Tech is at odds with the humanistic ethos that was once central to the scientific enterprise. The irony is that these high-tech, wealthy societies were expected to be more advanced and less prone to such divisive behaviors, but instead, they have become increasingly fragmented and tribalistic.
Quotes
"Again, the point about the tribal effects of social media is likely familiar. As one commentator puts it,"