[codeflo]

Amplifying stupid can be very deadly, though. In some sense, the printing press caused the 30-year war, and radio brought us World War II. Eventually, society will adapt. I just wish we could find a way to adapt faster than the bad actors do.

[KineticLensman]

> In some sense, the printing press caused the 30-year war,

Well the 30-year war definitely showed technology-driven speed-up. Before the printing press we had wars that lasted for 100 years [0]

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundred_Years%27_War

[codeflo]

Just to be clear, that "speed-up" is not a good thing: Those 100 years were a lot less deadly in total. The World Wars were even shorter and much deadlier still. A possible next full-blown conflict between major powers will only last hours -- and end civilization.

[daseiner1]

i think it’s consensus that yellow journalism directly led to the spanish-american war via hearst

[disqard]

(continuing in that vein, and taking the liberty of making a giant oversimplification):

...and TV brought us Ronald Reagan, and the Internet gave us Trump as POTUS.