Ariely highlights the global harm caused by misinformation and polarization enabled by social media as a major issue stemming from irrational behavior.
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to examining the impact of Twitter's deplatforming on the spread of misinformation after the US Capitol riot.
The podcast episodes provided highlight the growing problem of misinformation on social media platforms, and its far-reaching consequences across various domains.
Several episodes, such as Twitter suspended 70,000 accounts after the Capitol riots and it curbed misinformation, 'What I eat in a day' videos and the new diet culture, and Birth-control misinformation is rampant online, doctors say, delve into the issue of social media misinformation, discussing its impact on the spread of false narratives, the responsibility of platforms, and the need for critical thinking and fact-checking.
Additionally, the episode Why Is 'New Climate Denial' So Popular On Social Media? (w/ Imran Ahmed) explores the economic incentives driving the propagation of misinformation, particularly in the realm of climate change, and the broader implications for trust in institutions and democracy.