The Crisis of 2025: The Age of Influenza and the Path to Healing

For over a decade, we have been accelerating towards a world where every voice can be amplified, but not every voice is informed, nuanced, or responsible. Social media, heralded as a revolutionary tool for connection and free expression, has instead become a platform for division, manipulation, and the unchecked rise of what I call “influenzas”; individuals who, like a bad cold, spread superficial, divisive, and often harmful ideas under the guise of influence.

This unchecked empowerment of politicians, celebrities and the average individual has turned discourse into a battleground of extremes. Everyone is shouting, but no one is listening. Platforms designed to connect us have instead given rise to polarisation, where measured debate is drowned out by the noise of outrage, hyperbole, and misinformation. The virtual world has become a megaphone for every grievance and a breeding ground for extremism, magnifying voices that thrive on conflict and controversy.

The result? A society where nuance is lost, trust is eroded, and people retreat into echo chambers, surrounded only by those who validate their worldview. From politics to culture, the middle ground is shrinking, and the consequences are devastating: fractured communities, increased hostility, and a pervasive sense of

How Did We Get Here?

The problem lies in the design of the system itself. Social media rewards engagement - clicks, likes, and shares; over truth, wisdom, or empathy. Algorithms prioritise content that provokes strong emotions, whether anger, fear, or joy, and in doing so, they reward the loudest, most provocative voices. This system does not just enable extremism; it thrives on it.

Meanwhile, the erosion of traditional gatekeepers; journalists, educators, and community leaders; has removed the filters that once ensured public discourse was informed and balanced. While the democratisation of information has its merits, it has also created a vacuum where expertise is undervalued, and anyone with a smartphone can claim authority.

The Path Forward

We cannot undo technological progress, nor should we desire to. But we can and must create a better framework for how we use it. Here is what needs to change:

1. Redefining the Rules of Engagement

Platforms must take greater responsibility for the content they amplify. This means prioritising content that is fact-based and constructive while de-prioritising sensationalist or divisive material. It also means implementing stricter measures to isolate extremist views and prevent them from spreading unchecked.

2. Promoting Digital Literacy

Education systems must evolve to teach digital literacy as a core skill. People need to understand how algorithms shape their perceptions, how to verify information, and how to engage in constructive dialogue online.

3. Encouraging Localised Community Engagement

The globalised nature of online discourse often detaches us from the realities of our immediate communities. Rebuilding local networks of trust; through civic organisations, local journalism, and face-to-face interaction; can provide an antidote to the alienation and polarisation of the digital age.

4. Elevating Responsibility over Popularity

We must shift cultural values away from idolising influence for its own sake. True influence should be rooted in knowledge, empathy, and a commitment to the common good, not in the ability to provoke outrage or attract followers.

5. Holding Individuals Accountable

Every individual has a role to play in curbing the spread of extremism. This means being mindful of what we share, questioning our own biases, and actively seeking out diverse perspectives. We must resist the temptation to retreat into echo chambers and instead engage with those who challenge our views.

A Call to Action

The world of 2025 feels fractured, but it is not beyond repair. We have built a digital infrastructure that reflects the best and worst of humanity. Now, we must refine it, reimagine it, and reclaim it as a tool for unity rather than division.

The answer lies not in silencing voices but in amplifying the right ones. It lies in isolating extremism without abandoning free expression. It lies in fostering a culture where influence is earned through wisdom, not provocation.

If we fail to act, the polarisation we see today will only deepen. But if we choose to rise to the challenge, we can build a world where technology serves to bridge divides, not widen them; a world where connection is genuine, dialogue is meaningful, and humanity comes first.