Social media algorithms amplify negativity by optimizing for "revealed preference" (what you click on, e.g., car crashes). AI models, however, operate on aspirational choice (what you explicitly ask for). This fundamental difference means AI can reflect a more complex and wholesome version of humanity.

Many foreign-based social media accounts promoting extremist views aren't state-sponsored propaganda. Instead, they are run by individuals in developing nations who have discovered that inflammatory content is the easiest way to gain followers and monetize their accounts. This reframes the issue from purely geopolitical influence to include economic opportunism.

The problem with social media isn't free speech itself, but algorithms that elevate misinformation for engagement. A targeted solution is to remove Section 230 liability protection *only* for content that platforms algorithmically boost, holding them accountable for their editorial choices without engaging in broad censorship.

Data analysis of 105,000 headlines reveals a direct financial incentive for negativity in media. Each negative word added to an average-length headline increases its click-through rate by more than two percentage points, creating an economic model that systematically rewards outrage.

Oxford naming "rage bait" its word of the year signifies that intentionally provoking anger for online engagement is no longer a fringe tactic but a recognized, mainstream strategy. This reflects a maturation of the attention economy, where emotional manipulation has become a codified tool for content creators and digital marketers.

A/B testing on platforms like YouTube reveals a clear trend: the more incendiary and negative the language in titles and headlines, the more clicks they generate. This profit incentive drives the proliferation of outrage-based content, with inflammatory headlines reportedly up 140%.

The online world, particularly platforms like the former Twitter, is not a true reflection of the real world. A small percentage of users, many of whom are bots, generate the vast majority of content. This creates a distorted and often overly negative perception of public sentiment that does not represent the majority view.

The 20th-century broadcast economy monetized aspiration and sex appeal to sell products. Today's algorithm-driven digital economy has discovered that rage is a far more potent and profitable tool for capturing attention and maximizing engagement.

Before ChatGPT, humanity's "first contact" with rogue AI was social media. These simple, narrow AIs optimizing solely for engagement were powerful enough to degrade mental health and democracy. This "baby AI" serves as a stark warning for the societal impact of more advanced, general AI systems.