NH Business Review Column – Polarization as Business Model

While the authors of the 2018 study “The Hidden Tribes of America” found that only a third of Americans embrace the most extreme politics of the left and right, those perspectives dominate the national conversation. “Polarization has become a business model,” they wrote. “Media executives have realized that they can drive clicks, likes, and views, and make money for themselves and their shareholders, by providing people with the most strident opinions.” 

You can make money on YouTube and other sites, and, the more provocative your content, the more likely you benefit! People who promote disinformation, too, have become sophisticated at feeding us posts that reinforce our opinions. This system works great for conflict entrepreneurs and tech giants, but ultimately harms our social fabric and nation.   

Texts and emails can be addictive, too, but smartphone technology has significantly upped the game. Tech giants suck us in and keep us there to the detriment of important parts of our lives. Their goal may not be polarization or undermining children’s mental health, but they surely know that these are byproducts of their financial success. 

You can read my full column on this topic at https://read.nhbr.com/nh-business-review#2024/06/07/?article=4231008