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Netflix Documentary 'The Social Dilemma' Unveils Psychological Manipulation Used by Social Networks

Sep 2020 🇺🇸 TODAY / NBC

In this TODAY show segment timed to the film's Netflix release, Jeff Orlowski appears alongside former Google design ethicist Tristan Harris to discuss The Social Dilemma's case that social platforms use psychological design techniques to hold attention and shape behavior for advertising revenue. The segment introduces a mainstream morning-show audience to the film's argument that algorithmic personalization is associated with manipulated user choices and, for younger users in particular, with compulsive-use patterns the film raises as a concern. Harris frames the hope that the film helps restore a shared sense of reality fractured by individually tailored feeds. TechKids Foundation cites this appearance as evidence of Orlowski's reach into mainstream broadcast coverage beyond specialist tech or documentary press.

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"Netflix Documentary 'The Social Dilemma' Unveils Psychological Manipulation Used by Social Networks." TODAY, NBC, Sept. 29, 2020.

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Aug 2018 🇩🇪 The New York Times (syndicated via New York Times News Service / WRAL)
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