How TikTok Ruined Politics (And Your Sex Life)
In this episode of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Podcast, Mark Manson examines the growing divide in political engagement, asserting that a disproportionate focus on distant national issues distracts from more impactful local concerns. He advises seeking balanced sources beyond mainstream news narratives and understanding policies rather than fixating on individual political personalities.
Manson also explores how social media algorithms may contribute to ideological polarization by creating content bubbles around users' inherent preferences. The discussion highlights the need for historical context and diverse perspectives to counteract the distortion of current events by sensationalized media narratives optimized for viewership rather than accuracy.
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1-Page Summary
The Importance of Balanced Political Engagement
Local Issues Should Take Priority
Mark Manson expresses frustration with people's tendency to become overly invested in distant national and global political issues while neglecting more impactful local concerns. He calls this focus on faraway events one can't control while ignoring problems like underfunded schools and rising crime rates "absolute insanity." Instead, Manson advocates prioritizing local issues that directly affect one's community.
Drew Birnie highlights the benefits of consuming local news, which made him aware of discussions around school closures and other issues impacting his area.
Seek Historical Context and Diverse Sources
Manson asserts that an understanding of the history behind current conflicts can lead to a more balanced perspective on political events, which are often sensationalized by media narratives. He recommends sources like "Espressos from The Economist," local newspapers, and Wikipedia's "in the news" section to get apolitical event details without editorialization.
Evaluate Policies Over Personalities
Manson argues that too much attention is given to the personalities of political leaders rather than understanding the broader party or policy platforms they represent. He advises evaluating the substance of political proposals instead of fixating on individual candidates, as their influence rarely strays far from their parties' aims.
Social Media Algorithms Risk Polarization
Manson points out that TikTok's "For You" feed, which curates content based on individual preferences via psychographic algorithms, might be contributing to gender-based political polarization by creating ideological bubbles around inherent content preferences.
News Media Narrative Distortion
Manson criticizes the news media for creating narratives that distort public perception of current events, packaging information into sensationalized "blue team" or "red team" stories optimized for viewership rather than accuracy. To avoid being manipulated, he suggests seeking out balanced, fact-based sources like academic research and historical analyses.
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Counterarguments
- While local issues are indeed important, national and global issues can also have significant impacts on local communities, and engagement with these broader issues is necessary for a well-rounded political understanding.
- Local news is valuable, but it can sometimes lack the resources to cover larger stories in depth or may have its own biases; therefore, a mix of local and national/international news might be necessary for a comprehensive view.
- Historical context is important, but it can also be complex and subject to interpretation; different sources may provide different historical perspectives, and one must be critical of historical narratives as well.
- Diverse sources are beneficial, but the credibility and expertise of each source should be carefully considered; not all sources provide information of equal quality.
- While focusing on policies over personalities is generally sound advice, the character and judgment of individual leaders can also be important, especially in situations where they have significant executive power or influence.
- Social media algorithms do contribute to polarization, but they also allow for the discovery of new perspectives and communities that one might not encounter otherwise.
- News media can sensationalize stories, but it also plays a critical role in investigative journalism and holding power to account; the issue may be more about media literacy and critical thinking among the public.
- Seeking balanced and fact-based sources is essential, but complete objectivity is difficult to achieve, and all sources have some form of bias; the key is to understand and account for these biases in one's analysis.
Actionables
- You can start a "Local Matters" journal where you dedicate a few minutes each day to jot down notes about local issues you've encountered or read about, such as a new development project or changes in local school policies. This habit will help you keep track of what's happening in your community and may inspire you to become more involved or informed on these matters.
- Create a "Diverse Sources" bookmark folder in your web browser and fill it with links to a variety of information outlets, including local news websites, historical archives, and independent fact-checking organizations. By curating this personalized collection, you'll have a handy tool for cross-referencing information when a new political issue arises, ensuring you get a well-rounded view of the situation.
- Engage in a "Policy Deep Dive" once a month where you select a specific political policy that affects your community and spend time researching its implications, history, and the arguments for and against it. You could use online resources, attend a local council meeting, or discuss it with a knowledgeable friend. This practice will help you focus on the substance of policies rather than the personalities behind them.
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The appropriate level of care and attention to give to politics and elections
Mark Manson and Drew Birnie elaborate on the importance of balanced engagement in politics and how to avoid becoming overwhelmed or misdirected by the sensationalism common in today’s political discourse, suggesting that local action and historical context are key.
There is a tendency to become overexposed and overly invested in national and global political issues, while neglecting more impactful local issues.
Manson demonstrates frustration with the omnipresence of political discussion and suggests that politics is overwhelming other aspects of life. He points out the absurdity in people becoming overexposed to distant events they can't control while ignoring local issues that directly affect them. Calling this focus on national and international politics to the detriment of local issues 'absolute insanity', Manson champions the importance of prioritizing local concerns such as underfunded schools, rising crime, and housing crises.
Birnie highlights the benefits of consuming local news, sharing an example of how following his local newspaper made him aware of discussions around school closures and other issues impacting his community directly.
Maintaining a balanced and measured perspective on political events is important, as they are often sensationalized and exaggerated by media narratives.
Manson asserts that the economic influence of the United States globally overshadows political changes and suggests focusing more on demographics and economic trends than politics. Furthermore, Manson advocates for a reduction in the consumption of typical news in favor of historical insights. He posits that an understanding of the history behind current conflicts and issues can lead to a more balanced perspective.
Manson highlights that with historical knowledge, one realizes that events perceived as horrible and unprecedented have occurred before, and in each instance, society has believed these to be the worst times. Manson emphasizes that the stakes and interests in conflicts are far more c ...
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The appropriate level of care and attention to give to politics and elections
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Counterarguments
- While local issues are indeed important, national and global politics can have far-reaching impacts that also deserve attention.
- Engaging with national and global politics can empower individuals to push for changes that affect the broader society and world, not just their local community.
- Sensationalism in media is a concern, but it is also important to recognize that some events are genuinely unprecedented or have significant implications that justify intense media coverage and public interest.
- While historical context is valuable, it is also important to acknowledge that each era has unique challenges and opportunities that may not have historical precedents.
- Demographics and economic trends are important, but they do not capture the full scope of political dynamics, which can include ideological shifts, policy changes, and leadership styles that also influence outcomes.
- Objective reporting is ideal, but complete objectivity is difficult to achieve, and all sources of news may have some form of bias; critical thinking is required regardless of the source.
- Wikipedia's "in the news" section, while useful, is curated by volunteers and may not always represent all ...
Actionables
- You can volunteer for a local educational charity to directly impact underfunded schools in your area, which might involve tutoring, fundraising, or donating supplies.
- By engaging with these organizations, you'll gain firsthand experience of the challenges and successes within the local education system. For example, if you're good at math, you could offer weekly tutoring sessions at a nearby school or community center.
- Start a neighborhood watch group to address rising crime, which can be as simple as setting up a WhatsApp or Facebook group for residents to share information and report suspicious activities.
- This initiative fosters community solidarity and can deter criminal activity. An example might be organizing monthly meetings to discuss safety tips and liaise with local law enforcement on crime prevention strategies.
- Create a local housing crisis awareness campaign using social media ...
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The tendency to focus on political personalities rather than policies
Manson observes that politics often focuses on the traits and actions of individual leaders at the expense of understanding the broader party or policy platform they represent. Manson argues that a more productive way to assess the potential impact of elections is to evaluate the political platforms and proposals rather than the personalities of candidates.
The individual political leader often receives outsized attention and blame/praise compared to the larger party or policy platform they represent.
Manson points out that people tend to give too much credit or blame to political leaders for actions that more accurately reflect the agendas of their parties. He notes that an individual's influence rarely strays far from the party's broader aims and is often less pivotal to the achievement of policy goals than the public perceives. As evidence, Manson cites recent U.S. presidents, indicating that most of their successes and failures in office have been driven by their parties' platforms rather than their personal convictions or plans.
Furthermore, Manson discusses how the public often overindexes on the personality of political figures, casting them in simplistic roles of heroes or villains. This perception distracts from the reality that these individuals should be seen as figureheads for larger collective movements and interest groups with complex agendas that often transcend a single person’s capacity to direct.
Evaluating the substance of political platforms and proposals, rather than the personalities of the candidates, is a more produ ...
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The tendency to focus on political personalities rather than policies
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Clarifications
- When someone "overindexes on the personality of political figures," it means they place excessive emphasis on the personal characteristics, traits, or actions of individual politicians rather than focusing on the broader political context, policies, or party platforms. This behavior can lead to a disproportionate amount of attention given to the individual leader's persona, often overshadowing the more significant impact of political parties, policies, or systemic factors in shaping political outcomes. Essentially, it highlights a tendency to prioritize the personal qualities or behaviors of politicians over the substantive issues or ideologies they represent in political discourse.
- A figurehead for larger collective movements and interest groups is a symbolic leader who represents and embodies the values, goals, and aspirations of a broader organization or community. They often serve as a public face for these groups, helping to communicate their messages and ideals to the public. While they may have influence and visibility, their actions and decisions are typically guided by the collective interests and agendas of the movement or group they represent. This concept emphasizes that these individuals are not acting in isolation but are part of a larger network of supporters and stakeholders working towards common objectives.
- Demographic and economic interests shaping the political landscape encompass the various factors related to the population's characteristics and economic conditions that influence political decisions and outcomes. These interests include considerations such as age, gender, income levels, education, employment status, and regional disparities, which can impact voting patterns and policy priorities. Understanding these interests helps in predicting how different groups within society may support or oppose specific policies or candidates based on how these policies align with their ...
Counterarguments
- While party platforms are important, individual leaders can significantly shape policy through their executive actions, appointments, and leadership style.
- Charismatic leaders can influence public opinion and rally support for policy changes, which can be as important as the policies themselves.
- Personal convictions of leaders can affect their priorities and the vigor with which they pursue certain policies, even within a party platform.
- The simplification of political figures into heroes or villains can be a reflection of the electorate's need for narratives that are easier to understand and relate to.
- Leaders often serve as symbols and can embody the values and aspirations of their constituents, making their personalities relevant to public discourse.
- The focus on individual politicians can be a response to the lack of transparency or accessibility of party platforms, making personalities a more tangible aspect for voters to connect with.
- In some cases, individual leaders have been known to diverge from their party's platform or lead significant shifts in policy direction, indicating that their personal influence can be substantial.
- Voters may use a politi ...
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The distortion of political views and discourse due to technology and media
Mark Manson and Drew Birnie discuss how TikTok's algorithms and the news media's narratives can influence political views and public discourse, suggesting the need for greater public awareness and scrutiny.
The rise of social media algorithms, particularly TikTok's "For You" feed, has the potential to create echo chambers and amplify political polarization based on gender and other demographic factors.
The personalized nature of these algorithms, which prioritize content based on individual preferences rather than social connections, can lead to the formation of ideological bubbles that reinforce existing biases and divergent political views.
Manson points out that TikTok's "For You" feed might be contributing to gender-based polarization that has been observed since around 2019 or 2020. TikTok's content delivery is based on individual watch behaviors and uses psychographic algorithms to curate content based on individual preferences, unlike other platforms that predict interests using social graphs based on friends and follows.
Because the "For You" feed focuses on personal likes and dislikes, it could lead to echo chambers centered around inherent gender-based content preferences. Manson has observed a trend in which his audience demographics have shifted to include more men over the last three years, although he hasn't changed his content style, suggesting an effect of these algorithms.
Birnie discusses TikTok's algorithm's effectiveness, mentioning that it takes about 30 to 40 minutes for the platform to determine a user's preferences. Manson suggests that the algorithm's targeted content contributes to a polarization in content consumption between men and women, while Birnie acknowledges the algorithm's efficiency in understanding user preferences through short video interactions.
The news media's focus on sensationalism and narrative-building, rather than objective reporting, has contributed to the erosion of public trust and the spread of misinformation.
Seeking out more balanced, fact-based sources of information, such as academic research and historical analyses, can help individuals develop a more nuanced understanding of political issues and avoid being manipulated by media-driven narratives.
Manson criticizes the news media for creating narratives that distort the public's perception of the uniqueness and newsworthiness of current events. He mentions that the media s ...
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The distortion of political views and discourse due to technology and media
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Psychographic algorithms are algorithms that analyze individuals' psychological traits, beliefs, and preferences to personalize content or recommendations. These algorithms focus on understanding users' cognitive styles and behaviors to tailor content based on their interests and values. Unlike demographic segmentation, which categorizes based on age or gender, psychographic algorithms delve into deeper psychological aspects to predict and influence user behavior. They are commonly used in platforms like TikTok to curate content that aligns with users' unique preferences and thought patterns.
- An echo chamber in the context of social media and discourse refers to a situation where individuals are only exposed to information or opinions that align with their existing beliefs, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of thought. This can lead to a lack of diverse perspectives and an amplification of existing biases, making it challenging to consider alternative viewpoints or engage in constructive dialogue. Echo chambers can contribute to polarization and the spread of misinformation as individuals are less exposed to contrasting ideas or critical analysis. Understanding echo chambers is crucial in recognizing how technology and media can shape our views and influence public discourse.
- Blue team narratives and red team narratives are terms used to describe the biased storytelling often employed by the media, where information is framed to align with either liberal (blue team) or conservative (red team) viewpoints. This approach can oversimplify complex issues, prioritize sensationalism over accuracy, and contribute to political polarization among audiences. The use of these narratives can influence public perception, shape opinions, and reinforce existing biases, ultimately impacting how individuals interpret an ...
Counterarguments
- While social media algorithms can create echo chambers, they also have the potential to expose users to a wider range of viewpoints than traditional media, as users can follow and interact with a global audience.
- The assertion that TikTok's algorithm leads to gender-based polarization may overlook other factors that contribute to such polarization, such as societal trends or the content itself rather than the algorithm.
- It's possible that the shift in Manson's audience demographics could be attributed to broader cultural shifts or changes in the platform's user base, rather than solely the effect of the algorithm.
- The effectiveness of TikTok's algorithm in determining user preferences quickly does not necessarily imply that it contributes to polarization; it could also suggest that the platform is responsive to user interests.
- The criticism of news media for sensationalism and narrative-building may not acknowledge the efforts of many journalists and news organizations that strive for balanced and accurate reporting.
- While seeking out balanced, fact-based sources is advisable, it's important to recognize that all sources have some form of bias, including academic research and historical analyses, which are subject to the interpretations and perspectives of their authors.
- The recommendation to use sources like Wikipedia must ...
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