The Social Dilemma
The Social Dilemma is a 2020 American docudrama film directed by Jeff Orlowski and written by Orlowski, Davis Coombe, and Vickie Curtis. It explores the negative social effects of social media, which Big Tech uses in an attempt to manipulate and influence. The film features interviews with former tech executives, including Tristan Harris, who worked as a design ethicist at Google.
The film argues that social media platforms are designed to use psychological tricks to keep users engaged and addicted. These tricks include:
- The “fear of missing out” (FOMO): Social media platforms show users a curated selection of content that is designed to make them feel like they are missing out on things. This can lead to anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
- The “echo chamber effect”: Social media algorithms are designed to show users more content that is similar to the content they have already liked or shared. This can create an echo chamber where users only see information that confirms their existing beliefs, which can lead to polarization and extremism.
- The “attention economy”: Social media companies make money by selling advertising to users. The more time users spend on the platforms, the more money the companies can make. This creates a conflict of interest, as the companies are incentivized to keep users engaged even if it is harmful to their well-being.
The film also argues that social media is being used to manipulate elections and spread misinformation. Social media companies collect vast amounts of data about their users, which can be used to target them with political ads and propaganda.
The film concludes by calling for changes to the way social media is regulated and used. It suggests that social media companies should be held more accountable for the negative effects of their products, and that users should be more aware of the psychological tricks that are being used to manipulate them.
The Social Dilemma has been praised for its critical look at social media and its potential harms. It has also been criticized for being alarmist and for not offering solutions to the problems it identifies. However, the film has sparked a valuable conversation about the impact of social media on our lives.
The Social Dilemma delves into the intricate and often insidious ways in which social media platforms have woven themselves into the fabric of our lives, subtly manipulating our thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. It exposes the hidden algorithms and psychological tactics employed by these platforms to capture our attention, exploit our vulnerabilities, and ultimately, control our choices.
At the heart of the film lies the concept of “persuasive technology,” a term coined by Tristan Harris, a former Google ethicist, to describe the deliberate and systematic design of social media platforms to influence our behavior. These platforms, fueled by vast troves of personal data, employ sophisticated algorithms to curate our newsfeeds, filter our search results, and target us with personalized ads.
The film highlights three key mechanisms through which social media exerts its influence:
- Attention Extraction: Social media platforms compete for our attention, employing techniques like endless scrolling, autoplay videos, and attention-grabbing notifications. These tactics hijack our attention spans, making it increasingly difficult to focus on meaningful tasks or engage in deep conversations.
2. Behavioral Modification: By observing our online behavior, social media algorithms can predict and influence our actions. They can nudge us towards certain choices, reinforce our existing beliefs, and even manipulate our emotions. This manipulation can have profound consequences for our decision-making, self-esteem, and relationships.
3. Value Extraction: Social media companies extract immense value from our data, monetizing our attention and engagement. They sell our personal information to advertisers, enabling them to target us with personalized ads that amplify our biases and exploit our vulnerabilities.
The film’s central message is that we are not merely users of social media; we are the products being sold. Our attention, our data, and our emotions are the commodities that power these platforms. While social media may offer convenience and connection, it comes at a significant cost — our autonomy, our privacy, and our mental well-being.
The Social Dilemma does not shy away from painting a bleak picture of the social media landscape. It exposes the dark side of these platforms, revealing how they can amplify polarization, spread misinformation, and fuel social unrest. It warns of the potential for these technologies to erode democracy, undermine trust, and exacerbate societal divisions.
However, the film does not leave viewers with a sense of despair. It offers a glimmer of hope by suggesting that we, as individuals and as a society, can reclaim control over our digital lives. It calls for greater transparency from social media companies, stronger data protection laws, and a more critical approach to consuming online information.
The Social Dilemma is a powerful and thought-provoking film that challenges us to confront the realities of our digital world. It urges us to question the motivations behind social media platforms, to critically evaluate the information we consume, and to protect our autonomy in the face of persuasive technology. By raising awareness and sparking a dialogue, the film can empower us to reclaim control over our digital lives and shape a future where technology serves humanity, not the other way around.
