? How morality is falling apart
Do you remember when the internet felt like a good thing? It could actually make the world better. It was supposed to connect us, unite people, and create a space where fairness and kindness mattered. But now, that dream feels like it’s falling apart. Being “good” online? It’s starting to feel more like an old trend than something people care about.
WHEN BEING GOOD STOPPED BEING COOL
Not too long ago, social media was all about doing good. Companies bragged about their values. Influencers talked about justice and fairness. People believed the Internet could help solve problems and create change. But now, that positivity is gone. Platforms like X and Instagram aren’t about connection anymore—they’re about making money. Anger and drama grab attention, and attention equals profit.
The scariest part? The people designing these platforms know that. They’ve built systems that reward conflict, division, and outrage. Morality online has become less about what’s right and more about what team you’re on. It’s no longer about ethics—it’s about power.
ANGER IS PROFITABLE
Here’s the hard truth: being good doesn’t make platforms money. Outrage does. The internet now runs on clicks and shares, and things that make you angry or upset are way more clickable than anything positive. This isn’t some accident. Social media companies design algorithms prioritizing conflict and extreme opinions because they keep people scrolling. The result? Progressive ideas like fairness and inclusion are drowned out by noise, replaced with arguments and chaos. What used to be spaces for meaningful conversation now feel like battlegrounds. And the loudest, most polarizing voices are winning.
THE INTERNET IS FALLING APART
There was a time when the internet felt like one big community—where everyone could share ideas and experiences. That’s not true anymore. Now, it’s broken into little pieces. Honest conversations happen in encrypted chats, private forums, and invite-only groups. Mainstream platforms are filled with trolls, bots, and fake news, so people are leaving to find safer, smaller spaces. This divide is creating a big problem, especially for younger generations. Growing up in a fractured internet means there’s no common ground—no shared culture, no sense of unity. Everything feels extreme, with no middle ground to meet in.
BUILDING SOMETHING NEW
So, where do we go from here? If being “good” is going to matter again, it won’t happen on the platforms designed to keep us fighting. It’ll happen in new spaces built by people who care about values, not just profits. Some groups are already trying. Companies like Patagonia stick to their beliefs, even if it means losing money. Others, like Metalabel, are creating new ways for artists and creators to work together without being controlled by corporate systems. The next big change on the internet won’t be about who makes the funniest TikToks or the most viral memes. It’ll be about who builds platforms that actually reflect what people care about.
THE CHOICE IS YOURS
Right now, the internet is changing—fast. The old ways aren’t working anymore. So, what are you going to do? Will you sit back and let the chaos take over, or will you help create something better? This isn’t just about what happens online. It’s about who we are and what we want the future to look like. Will you be part of the change or let someone else decide for you?
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Soil scientist and Science Communication Manager at Forschungszentrum Jülich
4 周Thank you so much, dear Wolfgang! Once again, and in your wonderful language, you have got to the heart of something that moves us. And which hopefully moves now! Yes, it's about who we are and want to be ??
Project Manager AI Startup Rising | Philosopher, Engineer, Artist. Evolver & Transformer.
4 周Thanks, very good read that sums up a lot of thought I wrapped my head about lately. How would a platform reflecting these values ideally look like to you?
Marketing Manager @ Mayflower GmbH ?? I care for delightful experiences. #product #strategy #bmwmotorrad
4 周And we've seen it coming. There's an interesting article in The Atlantic (https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/07/social-media-harm-facebook-meta-response/670975/) on hyper-virality, polarization, and democratic dysfunction. It describes a situation where there's no longer a single source of truth, but rather a plethora of distinct perspectives. This has led to a situation where even groups with political or cultural affinities share no common ground anymore, resulting in something like 'the fear of one another.' I believe, we need to regain an awareness that we shape the world together with our neighbors—through dialogue, mutual support, and by building new bridges with outstretched hands. Even if we hold different views, we must find ways to create together—or at the very least, coexist with tolerance.