3 ms·

> the objective function ... is: maximize the time people spend watching stuff Sure, but the real problem is how well it works. Humans eagerly eat it up becaus

> the objective function ... is: maximize the time people spend watching stuff Sure, but the real problem is how well it works. Humans eagerly eat it up because their behavioral heuristics aren't adapted and get gamed. Humans want it and enjoy it and can't get enough, even though it sucks up their time without tangible benefit. Reducing the problem to "capitalism" is like saying the only problem humans have with opioids is that the Sacklers get filthy rich and therefore humanity would be fine if only everybody could get the stuff for free at a friendly neighborhood government drug outlet.

rustyboy 8y ago
That's not the most outlandish idea though is it? Plenty of people argue that if there were more living wage paying jobs, better universal healthcare, and legalized drugs then the opioid crisis wouldn't be as huge, or even exist as it currently does. That being said I agree that > is like saying the only problem capitalism cannot be the only thing to blame, but separating out the correlations versus the side effects of capitalism is a huge academic discussion in it's own right.