It’s worth considering that obesity was far, far less common 40-50 years ago than it is now. I don’t know exactly why. It could have to do with something in the food supply, or some other environmental or cultural factor.

WE GET SIGNAL !!

The most “engaging” content rises to the top…which is generally the most outrage-provoking. Not to excuse or dismiss the people who were doing terrible things, or those who experienced pain or hardship; but those were the MOST PROVOCATIVE things anyone could find. MILLIONS of other people nearby experienced calmness, joy, etc. but that is just left out of consciousness.

I agree with both of those sentiments! And as for niche communities, the challenge I’ve seen has been that they need a kind of critical mass in one place to take off…but at least on Reddit, that has sometimes led to homogeneity of thought and shouting down of any opinion that doesn’t 100% fall in line with the hivemind.

For example, I’m a big fan of the video game Life Is Strange, and there’s a major decision in that game that completely recontextualizes the story depending on which choice you make. On Reddit, /r/lifeisstrange as a metaphorical single organism has made one specific choice its accepted orthodoxy - any speaking about the other choice is downvoted and seen as blasphemy.

It’s especially frustrating to me since I have nuanced opinions about both sides, seeing various arguments for each. I don’t come down firmly in favor of either. But the almost-religious polarization means that my viewpoint is seen as sacriligeous because it’s nonconformist, but not bold enough against the orthodoxy to be supported by the blasphemers.