Ever wonder why your social media feed feels so angry? In this episode, we delve into 'The Politicisation of Frustration', a phenomenon where social media algorithms transform personal failure and inadequacy into widespread political fury. Drawing on research from Tulane University, we explore the 'Confrontation Effect', revealing how platforms exploit our psychological tendency to engage more with content that challenges, rather than affirms, our beliefs.
Discover how 'Outrage Engagement Loops' amplify divisive content, turning emotional arousal into profit for platforms that prioritise engagement above all else. We'll map the insidious pipeline from personal frustration to political polarisation, including the three phases of online radicalisation—vulnerability exploitation, ideological deepening, and community integration. Learn about the impact of 'Curated Digital Identity' and performance culture, which can make young people vulnerable to narratives that offer simple political scapegoats for complex personal struggles.
Finally, we discuss what actually works to break this cycle, from product design solutions like algorithmic transparency and friction implementation to digital literacy interventions, community-based support, and policy changes aimed at fostering sustainable attention economies. Understand how your anger, attention, and humanity are being harvested, and how to reclaim your agency in a digital world designed for profit, not wellbeing.
