Part 10/16:
A notable moment involves the transmission of violent footage on live TV, illustrating how social media can amplify trauma. O'Neal notes the exploitative designs of social media algorithms that prioritize engagement, often at the expense of societal cohesion or mental health. These algorithms tend to push divisive content, exacerbate tensions, and can funnel vulnerable individuals toward radicalization.
He discusses the use of social media by foreign adversaries—particularly China, Russia, and Iran—to inflame domestic unrest. Observations include the manipulation of content to emphasize racial divides, political unrest, and religious tensions, thus exploiting free platforms for covert influence operations.