Evidence behind the CHT thesis

1

I’m looking to start writing more on the subject and am wondering if anyone at CHT or in the community knows of a list of the evidence backing up the main points of the CHT thesis outlined in the new agenda video or on the Problem page?

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  1. The mismatch between our natural human sensitivities and the exponentially growing power of technology opens the door to massive extraction and monetization of our thoughts, emotions, and actions—generating a slew of harmful side effects, such as:
  • A - Shorter attention spans
  • B - Outrage over dialogue
  • C - Addicting our children
  • D - Polarizing democracies
  • E - Turning life into a competition for likes and shares

  1. Digital Addiction - Digital slot machines occupy more and more space in our lives

  2. Mental Health - We constantly face a battle for our attention, social comparison, and bullying

  3. Breakdown of Truth - It’s become harder than ever to separate fact from fiction

  4. Polarization - Stronger ideological rifts make compromise and cooperation more difficult

  5. Political Manipulation - Creating discord through cyberwarfare is far more cost-effective than military action

  6. Superficiality - A social system built on likes and shares prioritizes shallowness over depth.

2

Whoops, duh. Found it: https://ledger.humanetech.com/

3

I have been writing on these issues too. My October 2018 report “Social Media Impacts on Social and Political Goods” includes a bibliography and citations to much of the research.