579. Are You Caught in a Social Media Trap?

This podcast episode delves into the intricate relationship between individuals, social media, and societal well-being. It explores the concept of social media as a product market trap, where people continue to use it despite acknowledging its negative effects due to a fear of missing out. The discussion highlights the challenges of measuring people's preferences and the discrepancy between what they say they want and what they actually do, raising important questions about our understanding of consumer behavior. The episode offers insights into strategies employed by social media platforms to increase user engagement and retention, and draws parallels between social media use and other addictive behaviors like crack cocaine and cigarette smoking.