> To drive clicks, the algorithms optimise for rage bait. Indeed, the author expands on the rage bait part here: “More than just fanning disagreement, trolls

> To drive clicks, the algorithms optimise for rage bait. Indeed, the author expands on the rage bait part here: “More than just fanning disagreement, trolls want to encourage a belief that truth no longer exists. Divide and conquer. Distrust anyone who might serve as a leader or trusted voice. Cut off the head. Demoralize. Confuse. Each of these is a devastating attack strategy. Even as a social media researcher, I underestimate the degree to which my opinion is shaped by these attacks. I think I am smart enough to read what I want, discard the rest and step away unscathed. Still, when I see a post that has millions of likes, part of me thinks it must reflect public opinion. The social media feeds I see are affected by it and, what’s more, I am affected by the opinions of my real friends, who are also influenced. The entire society is being subtly manipulated to believe they are on opposite sides of many issues when legitimate common ground exists.”