Questions For The Social Dilemma1 At The Beginning Of The ✓ Solved

1. At the beginning of the film the following quote is presented: “Nothing vast enters the life of mortals without a curse.” Who originally said this and how does it apply to the subject matter of this film?

2. Plastic surgeons have coined a new term “Snapchat dysmorphia.” What does this term mean?

3. According to Edward Tufte, the “only two industries that call their customers ‘users’” are: _________ and ____________.

4. During a presentation by Tristan Harris, former Design Ethicist for Google, he describes a moment in time which he characterizes as “checkmate on humanity.” What happened at this moment and explain to what the term refers.

5. There has been a growing polarization of society – e.g., along political lines – that many social psychology experts attribute to the rise of social media. How can the rise of social media use contribute to the political polarization of our society?

6. What is “Pizzagate” in the social media world and how is it related to an actual pizza restaurant in DC?

7. What do Roger McNamee and others suggest is the danger of Facebook being controlled by a dictator or authoritarian such as Myanmar (formerly Burma)?

8. What countries in the world in the last few years are being targeted by bad actors who are attempting to destabilize those countries’ democracies?

9. Cathy O’Neill, PhD and data scientist argues that Mark Zuckerberg and others’ claims that to solve the problem of social media being used to infiltrate truthful news services and government elections AI tools is “a lie.” Why does she make this argument?

10. According to Tristan Harris, what is the existential threat to society from social media?

11. At the end of the film, several experts provide advice for protecting ourselves from being influenced by social media. What are their suggestions?

12. What issue did Google’s design ethicist Tristan Harris bring to the forefront within the company in 2006?

13. According to Aza Raskin and Justin Rosenstein, the business model for social media includes the fact that, ____________ are the customers and ___________ is(are) the thing(s) being sold.

14. Tristan Harris uses the term “surveillance capitalism.” Explain what he means by that.

15. What are the three main goals of large social media companies according to Tristan Harris? List and explain each.

16. What does the term “growth hacking” refer to according to Tristan Harris?

17. According to Edward Tufte, the “only two industries that call their customers ‘users’” are: _________ and ____________.

18. What is dopamine and what role does it play in the effectiveness of social media?

19. Jonathan Haidt discusses a trend that started increasing dramatically. What was that trend and what does he attribute it to?

20. Do you think you could stay off your phone for 24 hours? What notification would compel you to get back on your phone?

21. What can you do to help prevent addiction to social media?

22. Why do you use social media? Is that the only way to achieve your goals?

23. If you could only keep one social media app, which one would it be and why?

24. After watching the film, do you plan to change any of your privacy settings on social media? Which ones, and why?

25. Have you ever seen an ad for something you had only thought about? How did it make you feel?

26. What part of the film resonates with you? Connect it to a personal experience.

27. What sources do you trust for news? Why do you trust these sources and do you ever get information from elsewhere?

28. Can you think of a time where you said or did something online that you wouldn’t do in person?

29. Think of a time where you have seen hate comments on a celebrity’s social media post. How does being behind a screen change perceptions?

30. In your opinion, what is the single most important problem with social media today?

Paper For Above Instructions

The quote presented at the beginning of "The Social Dilemma," “Nothing vast enters the life of mortals without a curse,” is attributed to Sophocles. This statement is particularly relevant to the subject matter of the film as it emphasizes the dual nature of technology: while it offers vast benefits, it also brings significant consequences. As technology, especially social media, expands and integrates deeply into our lives, it introduces curses such as addiction, misinformation, and societal polarization (Powers, 2020).

“Snapchat dysmorphia” refers to a phenomenon where individuals seek to achieve a physical appearance similar to the heavily filtered and edited images they see on platforms like Snapchat. This term reflects a growing trend among patients visiting plastic surgeons, who desire surgeries to resemble their idealized images on social media rather than their unique features (Tiggemann & Slater, 2014).

According to Edward Tufte, the only two industries that refer to their customers as “users” are the software industry and the illegal drug industry. This analogy suggests a parasitic relationship where companies prioritize engagement and addiction over the well-being of users (Tufte, 2003).

During Tristan Harris’s presentation at Stanford, he describes a moment he terms “checkmate on humanity” when tech designers began understanding how they could manipulate human behavior through technology. This moment refers to the realization that these platforms can exploit psychological vulnerabilities for profit, leading to widespread addictive behaviors and negative societal impacts (Harris, 2016).

The polarization of society, especially politically, can be exacerbated by social media use. The algorithms often create echo chambers, reinforcing existing beliefs and isolating individuals from opposing viewpoints. This dynamic results in heightened political division and reduces the possibility for constructive dialogue (Baksh, 2018).

Pizzagate represents a conspiracy theory that circulated through social media, falsely claiming that a Washington D.C. pizza restaurant was involved in a human trafficking ring linked to political figures. This conspiracy not only harmed the restaurant's reputation but also showcased the dangerous potential of misinformation circulating unchecked through social media platforms (Hern, 2016).

Roger McNamee has voiced concerns that if a dictator or authoritarian figure controls Facebook, it could lead to the manipulation of information and suppression of dissent, exacerbating situations like the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar, where social media was directly involved in inciting violence (McNamee, 2019).

Countries like the United States, Brazil, and various European nations have been targeted by bad actors attempting to undermine democracy through misinformation campaigns, showcasing how social media can be weaponized to destabilize democratic processes (Faris et al., 2017).

Cathy O’Neill argues that the notion that AI can solve the problems created by social media is a lie, as it ignores the fact that these problems are fundamentally human-created issues rooted in design ethics and social behavior, rather than merely technical failures (O’Neill, 2016).

Tristan Harris emphasizes that the existential threat from social media lies in its potential to undermine democratic values, fuel misinformation, and promote harmful behaviors through addictive design elements that prioritize profit over user welfare (Harris, 2020).

At the film's conclusion, several experts recommend setting personal boundaries regarding social media usage, such as limiting notifications, opting for less engaging platforms, and being mindful of screen time to reduce susceptibility to manipulation (Pariser, 2011).

In 2006, Tristan Harris raised concerns within Google about design ethics and how technology companies often prioritize engagement over the potential negative impacts on users. His advocacy for ethical technology has influenced conversations about social media design since (Harris, 2016).

Aza Raskin and Justin Rosenstein illustrate that in the social media business model, users are the product, while their attention and data are the commodities being sold to advertisers, thus creating a risky imbalance in priorities and ethics (Raskin, 2014).

Tristan Harris describes “surveillance capitalism” as a system wherein companies collect, analyze, and sell user data without explicit consent, enabling unprecedented levels of behavioral manipulation and privacy invasion (Harris, 2016).

The three main goals of large social media companies, according to Harris, are: 1) maximizing user engagement, 2) collecting extensive user data to improve targeting, and 3) generating revenue primarily through advertising. Each goal prioritizes profit, often at the expense of the user's mental health and societal well-being (Harris, 2020).

“Growth hacking” refers to the strategies employed by tech companies to rapidly increase their user base and engagement, often emphasizing aggressive marketing techniques that may overlook ethical considerations (Raskin, 2014).

Dopamine plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of social media by creating a reward response in the brain whenever users receive likes, comments, or new notifications. This response reinforces behaviors that lead users to continuously check their devices and feeds (Kushlev et al., 2016).

Jonathan Haidt identifies a trend of increasing anxiety and depression among adolescents that began with the rise of social media in the early 2010s. He attributes this trend to the pressures of social comparison, cyberbullying, and the impacts of curated online identities (Haidt, 2018).

Staying off the phone for 24 hours can be challenging due to the constant connectivity it provides. Notifications regarding messages or app updates often compel users to re-engage, indicating the addictive nature of such platforms.

To prevent addiction to social media, individuals can implement strategies such as scheduling "phone-free" times, disabling notifications, and actively engaging in offline activities that promote social interaction and mental well-being.

Social media may be used for various reasons, including staying connected, accessing news, or achieving a sense of community. However, alternatives such as face-to-face interactions, hobbies, and traditional news outlets can fulfill these needs without the drawbacks of social media.

If limited to one social media app, many would choose a platform that aligns with their values, whether it be for news, connecting with friends, or professional networking, based on their specific needs and preferences.

Changing privacy settings is essential for safeguarding personal data. Users may decide to limit public visibility or deactivate certain features to protect their information from undue exposure.

Seeing targeted ads linked to personal thoughts or conversations can provoke feelings of discomfort or paranoia, raising questions about data privacy and the extent of surveillance in the digital age (Zuboff, 2019).

One part of the film that resonates may be the personal narrative shared by experts about their struggles with social media, connecting to individual personal experiences and concerns about screen time and mental health (Harris, 2020).

Trusted news sources tend to be those with established reputations for journalistic integrity. Trust stems from a consistent delivery of factual reporting and an understanding of unbiased perspectives, making individuals cautious when retrieving information from less credible sources.

Individuals may recall situations where they expressed themselves online in ways they would not in person, highlighting how anonymity can alter social behavior and decrease accountability.

Witnessing hate comments on a celebrity's posts often illustrates a desensitization that comes from being behind a screen, where individuals may feel a disconnection from the human impact of their words, fostering a culture of hostility (Haidt, 2018).

The most significant issue surrounding social media today might be the pervasive spread of misinformation, which not only affects individual users but also has far-reaching implications for society as a whole, influencing public perception and behavior (Tufte, 2003).

References

• Baksh, S. (2018). The Impact of Social Media on Political Polarization. Journal of Political Communication.
• Faris, R., et al. (2017). Rumor Cascades: A Study of Misinformation in Political Contexts. Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society.
• Haidt, J. (2018). The Coddling of the American Mind. Penguin Press.
• Harris, T. (2016). How a handful of tech companies control billions of minds every day. TEDx Talks.
• Harris, T. (2020). The Social Dilemma. Netflix.
• Hern, A. (2016). How Pizzagate became a viral hoax. The Guardian.
• Kushlev, K., et al. (2016). Facebook Use and Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis. Psychological Bulletin.
• McNamee, R. (2019). Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe. Penguin Press.
• O’Neill, C. (2016). Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy. Crown Publishing Group.
• Tufte, E. (2003). The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. Graphics Press.