Imagine the reaction on Twitter if Darwin published the Origin of Species today. It was bad enough for him at the time, but imagine what it would be like now. If he had an employer, there's a significant chance he'd be fired.
Show this thread
We think of social media as a way to exchange ideas, but although it's undoubtedly a way to exchange conventional ideas with people who already agree with them, I worry it might actually suppress some of the biggest ideas.
-
-
And by suppress, I don't mean just that Darwin would not have been actively tweeting about evolution. I mean he might have actually been less likely to follow up his initial ideas about it.
Show this threadThanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
I wonder if people follow people who they disagree with, good idea
- Show replies
New conversation -
-
-
This is what reddit basically is
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
You created one of the most powerful social networks, how do you think hacker news handles these issues? Do you think no down votes helps alleviate suppress big ideas? is there a better way?
-
*suppressing
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
I'd say any group identity strives to divorce its members from reality by rewarding ideas that increase its cohesion and penalizing the rest (including the big ones). Social media increases the reach and potency of this mechanism.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
(1/2) All of history shows us that by placating to the masses (telling them the fairytale they already agree with & want to hear) you can build popularity and support very quickly. Social media scales that support (almost instantly!) & makes that mass a scary powerful force
-
(2/2) The scariest part is when that mass of support is then used to ridicule *one* person who disagrees with it. Especially if that one person is/was Darwin as in your example.
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.