Compare QAnon to the Satanic Panic. Or 9-11 conspiracy theories to JFK conspiracy theories. Sure, it’s much easier to spread bullshit than ever before, but it’s also easier to debunk bullshit than ever before.

…is it? I don’t think it is. In the 60s, you didn’t have JFK conspiracy theorists in office. On tv. Yeah, Satanic Panic was based on junk science and was being hawked on the news. But we still have that still today plus people who think the stuff that used to be in supermarket tabloids AND THEN SOME—and it’s a not insignificant number. Sure, there have always been crazy people, but their delusions didn’t spread so widely, weren’t accepted by impactful blocs of people amassing power.

I mean, you’re right. It’s impossible to quantify. And it seems we’re pretty much limiting this discussion to the US, so look at all the studies showing the deep division. Look at the far flung conspiracy theories becoming mainstream. Look at the level of political discourse. Look at test scores. Look at the out of control crises going on every day.

My point is this tech and access was supposed to have made us smarter. And it absolutely did not do that. We’re just as dumb if not much dumber. I mean, statistically, we are dumber. Unhappier, more disillusioned and depressed and anxious and pessimistic than ever. Sure, it’s possible we’re not worse off than before and now we’re just measuring these things more acutely. It the point is we’ve advanced leaps and bounds and the idea is that the tech was supposed to better us. Instead, it heightened inequality and hurt us all. Mentally and physically.