About this episode
This episode explores how early 2000s tech decisions influenced the internet's role in spreading outrage and misinformation.
In the early 2000s, key tech companies made a series of choices that shaped the future of the internet. They "gave away"" their products "for free." From an initial tweak to Facebook's NewsFeed to conspiracy theories about permanent markers in the 2020 election, that decision — and the relentless hunt for engagement that followed — paved the way for outrage-fueled content, viral conspiracy theories, and polarizing misinformation. And it all supercharged a right-wing media bubble inflated by the same forces. Part Two of "Landslide: Engines of Outrage" explores how the internet, profit motives, human psychology, and political benefit are fusing together to widen our political divide. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
People in this episode
Host: NPR
Topics covered
- internet history
- tech companies
- polarization
- misinformation
- conspiracy theories
- media influence
Keywords
- internet
- outrage
- conspiracy theories
- polarization
- media bubble
- 2020 election
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Facebook
More episodes of Landslide
- Are we doomed? · April 28, 2026 · 38 min
- Introducing the American Storytelling collection · February 10, 2026 · 2 min
- Engines of Outrage Pt. 4 · February 27, 2025 · 29 min
- Engines of Outrage Pt. 3 · February 20, 2025 · 31 min
- Engines of Outrage Pt. 1 · February 6, 2025 · 32 min
- The Exoneration of Richard Nixon · July 3, 2024 · 21 min
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