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#291 – Jonathan Haidt: The Case Against Social Media

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Jun 4, 2022

Guest

Jonathan Haidt

Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist from NYU and author known for his work on moral psychology, dives deep into the impact of social media. He discusses its dual nature, linking increased usage since 2010 to rising mental health issues in teens, particularly girls. Haidt advocates for policy changes to protect children from these negative effects. He critiques social media companies for their roles in societal polarization and argues for the need for transparency and ethical responsibility in online platforms, emphasizing a balance between free speech and user well-being.

01:48:45

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INSIGHT

Harmful Business Model

Social media's business model incentivizes content creation, making users the product sold to advertisers.
This model is harmful to teens, especially girls aged 10-14, and democratic institutions.

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ADVICE

Protecting Children Online

Keep children off social media platforms with harmful business models until after puberty.
Encourage free play for healthy social and emotional development.

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ANECDOTE

Paintball and Tribalism

Jonathan Haidt describes his first paintball experience at age 29.
He felt it activated a primal part of his brain related to tribalism and intergroup conflict.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Nature's Serenity and Personal Growth

02:06 • 6min

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The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media

08:01 • 24min

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Reassessing Childhood in the Age of Social Media

32:22 • 3min

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The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media

35:34 • 13min

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The Tower of Babel: Understanding Fragmentation in Modern Society

48:56 • 3min

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Social Media's Role in Division and Leadership

52:19 • 14min

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Navigating Social Media Discourse

01:05:55 • 15min

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Navigating Social Media's Double-Edged Sword

01:20:44 • 22min

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Empowering Young Lives: Keys to Strength, Intelligence, and Sociability

01:42:45 • 4min

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Embracing Adversity for Personal Growth

01:46:20 • 2min

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#162

• Mentioned in 132 episodes

The Righteous Mind

Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion

Jonathan Haidt

In this book, Jonathan Haidt draws on twenty-five years of research on moral psychology to explain why people's moral judgments are driven by intuition rather than reason. He introduces the Moral Foundations Theory, which posits that human morality is based on six foundations: care/harm, fairness/cheating, loyalty/betrayal, authority/subversion, sanctity/degradation, and liberty/oppression. Haidt argues that liberals tend to focus on the care/harm and fairness/cheating foundations, while conservatives draw on all six. The book also explores how morality binds and blinds people, leading to social cohesion but also to conflicts. Haidt aims to promote understanding and civility by highlighting the commonalities and differences in moral intuitions across political spectra.

#920

• Mentioned in 40 episodes

Free range kids

giving our children the freedom we had without going nuts with worry

Lenore Skenazy

In the second edition of 'Free-Range Kids', Lenore Skenazy provides a compelling and entertaining look at how modern culture fosters excessive worry about children's safety. Using real-world examples, advice, and humor, Skenazy argues that parents and educators can step back to allow children to develop independence. The book includes strategies for rejecting media-driven fear, giving students more independence in schools, and navigating a culture filled with warnings and fears. It also features 'real-world' free-range parent experiences, exercises for parents, and a critique of urban myths about safety risks.

#437

• Mentioned in 67 episodes

The Happiness Hypothesis

Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom

Jonathan Haidt

In 'The Happiness Hypothesis,' Jonathan Haidt delves into the nature of happiness, fulfillment, and meaning. He discusses the division of the self into two parts: the primitive limbic system and the rational neocortex, using the metaphor of a rider and an elephant to explain the relationship between conscious and unconscious processes. Haidt examines 'Great Ideas' from ancient thinkers like Plato, Buddha, and Jesus, and evaluates them in light of contemporary psychological research. He argues that happiness is influenced by both internal and external factors, including biological set points, life conditions, and voluntary activities. The book also explores the importance of social relationships, the role of adversity in personal growth, and the concept of 'vital engagement' in work and life.

#86

• Mentioned in 190 episodes

The Coddling of the American Mind

Jonathan Haidt

Greg Lukianoff

The book explores how the ideas 'what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker,' 'always trust your feelings,' and 'life is a battle between good people and evil people' have become embedded in American culture. These 'Great Untruths' contradict basic psychological principles and ancient wisdom, leading to a culture of safetyism that interferes with young people’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. The authors investigate various social trends, including fearful parenting, the decline of unsupervised play, and the impact of social media, as well as changes on college campuses and the broader context of political polarization in America.

#1086

• Mentioned in 35 episodes

iGen

Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood

Jean Twenge

In 'iGen,' Jean Twenge analyzes the cultural changes affecting today's teens and young adults, born after 1995, who are the first generation to spend their entire adolescence in the age of smartphones. The book draws from nationally representative surveys and in-depth interviews to document how technology has influenced their socialization, mental health, attitudes toward religion, sexuality, and politics. Twenge argues that this generation is distinct due to their extensive use of technology, which has led to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, as well as changes in their developmental pace and social interactions. The book is divided into chapters that explore various themes, including the impact of internet use, changes in social behaviors, mental health crises, and shifts in religious and political attitudes.

#1620

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The Revolt of the Public

And the Reckoning of the West

Martin Gurri

Martin Gurri's "The Revolt of the Public" analyzes the growing disconnect between established elites and the general public, exploring the rise of populism and anti-establishment sentiment. The book examines how the rapid dissemination of information through the internet has empowered ordinary citizens, leading to a challenge to traditional power structures. Gurri argues that the elites' inability to adapt to this changing information landscape has fueled public anger and frustration. The book's central theme is the erosion of trust in institutions and the rise of alternative sources of information and authority. Gurri's analysis offers insights into the underlying causes of political polarization and the challenges facing democratic societies in the digital age.

#5152

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The Great Experiment

Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure

Yascha Mounk

In *The Great Experiment*, Yascha Mounk explores the challenges of creating diverse and equal democracies, arguing that achieving this goal is central to the democratic project. Drawing on history, social psychology, and comparative politics, Mounk offers a hopeful vision for bridging societal divides and building a more inclusive future. The book is praised for its profound understanding and practical suggestions for mitigating conflicts over race and identity.

#721

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The Turner Diaries

William Luther Pierce

The Turner Diaries is a novel that depicts a fictional white supremacist revolution in the United States. Written by William Luther Pierce under the pseudonym Andrew Macdonald, the book is presented as a diary kept by the protagonist, Earl Turner. The narrative details Turner's involvement in a violent uprising against the U.S. government and other perceived enemies of white supremacy. The book has been widely criticized for its extremist and racist content.

#17

• Mentioned in 416 episodes

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Dale Carnegie

First published in 1936, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to improving interpersonal skills. The book is divided into four main sections: Six Ways to Make People Like You, Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and Nine Ways to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment. Carnegie's principles emphasize the importance of genuine interest in others, active listening, and avoiding criticism and argument. The book offers practical advice on how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and influence others by aligning their self-interest with yours. It has been a cornerstone of personal development and business success for generations.

Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist at NYU and author of The Coddling of the American Mind, The Righteous Mind, and The Happiness Hypothesis. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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EPISODE LINKS:
Jonathan’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/JonHaidt
Jonathan’s Website: https://jonathanhaidt.com
Documents & Articles:
1. Social Media and Political Dysfunction: A Collaborative Review: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vVAtMCQnz8WVxtSNQev_e1cGmY9rnY96ecYuAj6C548/edit
2. Teen Mental Health Testimony: https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Haidt%20Testimony.pdf
3. The Atlantic article: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/
Books:
1. The Coddling of the American Mind (book): https://amzn.to/3MW4HqL
2. The Righteous Mind (book): https://amzn.to/3to0tkj
3. The Happiness Hypothesis (book): https://amzn.to/3Mb1xP2

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OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(07:57) – Social media and mental health
(21:45) – Mark Zuckerberg
(31:23) – Children’s use of social media
(42:08) – Social media and democracy
(58:14) – Elon Musk and Twitter
(1:14:45) – Anonymity on social media
(1:20:44) – Misinformation
(1:27:38) – Social media benefits
(1:30:22) – Political division on social media
(1:36:54) – Future of social media
(1:42:46) – Advice for young people

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