Day 17 of our 30-day challenge exploring what it really takes to bridge our divides.
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve dug into some of the toughest barriers to connection—disinformation, power imbalances, high-stakes conversations, and what it means to be part of a shared civic community. But running underneath so many of these challenges is one force shaping our worldview every single day:
Social media.
The platforms we use—for news, for connection, for entertainment—are built on algorithms that reward drama, outrage, and negativity. They amplify the loudest voices, the hottest takes, and the most divisive content. And that can make real connection feel harder and harder, even when we genuinely want it.
So today’s question hits at the heart of the issue:
What are the dangers of constant social-media addiction, and how do platforms built on discord undermine genuine community?
To explore that, we’re joined by Calista Small, Research Manager at More in Common. Calista studies social cohesion, divides, and the forces that shape public perception. Her work uncovers how Americans see one another—and how we might rebuild trust in an online environment designed to erode it.
Learn more: OutrageOverload.net
Join the movement to lower the temperature: Count Me In for Calm
