"Did Social Media Break America?" TODAY at 3:30pm

[Daniel Lake]

 *The Institute for Ethics in Public Life invites you to join us for "Did
social media break America?" TODAY at 3:30pm in person or on Zoom.*

Almost three years ago, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt proposed that
was the case in an article published in *The Atlantic* called "Why the Past
10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid."
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1738425690468415&usg=AOvVaw0rRcl5r1GmXnLsUbrDYPXe>
He argues social media has undermined social cohesion, directly leading to
the fragmentation of American society and the associated political
polarization we experience today. In the article, he uses the metaphor of
the biblical story of the Tower of Babel to frame his analysis of America
today, suggesting that as with the descendants of Noah who offended God by
building the Tower of Babel, "[w]e are disoriented, unable to speak the
same language or recognize the same truth" today due to social media.

For our conversation, we'll start by examining the argument he makes in
that article about the sources of American social fragmentation and
political polarization, and what it means for American democracy. Time
permitting, we'll also discuss what can be done about this.

For further reading on the subject, see Haidt's "After Babel
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.afterbabel.com/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1738425690468415&usg=AOvVaw33qRFQyp_fGZzbFPGIn1YJ>"
substack.

You are welcome to join us in person in the Thomas Moran Seminar Room at
the Institute for Ethics in Public Life (Hawkins 233) or on Zoom:

Daniel Lake is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: "Did social media break America?"
Time: Feb 5, 2025 03:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://plattsburgh.zoom.us/j/88078209330
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://plattsburgh.zoom.us/j/88078209330&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1738425690468415&usg=AOvVaw1PJtX5ZjF0HXX7I5yuhlHv>

Upcoming at the Institute:

*Feb. 12 (W) at 3:30pm in person and on Zoom: *"Ethical Issues with AI",
with special guests Dr. Del Hart, Dr. Kevin McCullen, and Dr. Jan Plaza of
the Department of Computer Science.


-- 

*Daniel Lake*

(pronouns: he/him/his)

Assoc. Prof. of Political Science

Director, Institute for Ethics in Public Life

Hawkins 149A

101 Broad Street
<https://maps.google.com/?q=101+Broad+Street+Plattsburgh,+NY+12901&entry=gmail&source=g>

Plattsburgh, NY 12901
<https://maps.google.com/?q=101+Broad+Street+Plattsburgh,+NY+12901&entry=gmail&source=g>

(o) 518-564-5833 <(518)%5645833>

*plattsburgh.edu <http://plattsburgh.edu/>*
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