[bb88]

The news networks and social networks have determined that controversy increases engagement which increases profit.

You could imagine a different algorithm that promoted peaceful, thoughtful interactions. But that would have led to the death of Facebook, twitter, news networks, etc.

We may in fact be here due to sheer greed. The media companies have profited by creating discontent in our society rather than content.

[hattmall]

This really can't be stated loudly enough and they studied it and figured this out with A/B testing and implemented it. It's on the level of tobacco companies covering up cancer.

[abustamam]

In another HN post about New Mexico offering free childcare, there was a comment that basically hit on the same point [1]. Capitalism has really fucked our society in so many ways.

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45191517