555. How the Internet Is Breaking Our Brains | Sam Harris

In this episode, Dr. Jordan B. Peterson and Sam Harris discuss the fragmentation of the narrative landscape due to hyper-connectivity and the stunning ease of communication, which they believe leads to cultural incoherence, weakness, demoralization, deceit, self-deception, and an inability to understand one another. They explore how social media and the internet have enabled the spread of misinformation and the formation of echo chambers, referencing the analogy of the Tower of Babel, and touch on the irresponsibility of some independent media figures in platforming divisive content. They also discuss the role of gatekeeping institutions, the impact of algorithms optimizing for short-term attention, and the challenges of navigating a world where bad information spreads more easily than good information. They further analyze the effects of social media, particularly Twitter/X, on individuals like Elon Musk, and debate potential solutions, including the need for intermediary institutions and a reevaluation of the value of free versus paid content. They conclude by agreeing to further explore the landscape of antisemitism on both the left and the right in a subsequent discussion.