Maybe knowing too much about others isn't so great
Daniel Frank discusses how social media and evolving opinions affect admiration for public figures, leading to reputational decline. He suggests fostering tolerance and recalibrating expectations to mitigate conflict and polarization.
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Daniel Frank reflects on the complexities of admiration and relationships in the context of evolving opinions and social media. He discusses a phenomenon where individuals' reputations can quickly deteriorate due to public scrutiny and the exposure of their beliefs. Frank uses examples from a 2015 game where readers listed admired figures, noting that many of these figures, including Elon Musk and Aung San Suu Kyi, have since faced significant backlash. He attributes this shift to two main factors: the expansion of the "opinion surface area," where individuals are expected to have stances on a broader range of issues, and the "great opinion unveiling," where social media immortalizes every opinion and action, making it difficult to overlook disagreements. While he acknowledges the potential benefits of increased transparency, he also expresses concern about the negative impact of knowing too much about others, suggesting that it may lead to unnecessary conflict and polarization. Frank proposes that instead of focusing on divisive topics, individuals might benefit from cultivating a more tolerant perspective and recalibrating their expectations of others. He concludes with a sense of uncertainty about the implications of these dynamics on personal relationships and societal interactions.
- Increased visibility of opinions can lead to diminished admiration for public figures.
- Social media has made every opinion and action of individuals more accessible and scrutinized.
- The expectation for individuals to have stances on a wider array of issues has grown.
- Focusing less on divisive topics may help maintain relationships and reduce polarization.
- There is a tension between the desire for transparency and the potential for conflict in personal relationships.
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2 comments> In 2015, Marginal Revolution readers played this game. They voted Elon Musk as the person they most admired. Tyler Cowen fared even worse here. The only name he could list was Aung San Suu Kyi as his sole admirable figure. Since then, both Musk and Suu Kyi have been disgraced, having their reputations tarnished.
Any economist would still admire Musk. Economists are supposed to look at what people do, not what they say. And Musk has achieved a great deal for our common benefit.
Frank comes across as a left-wing authoritarian, willing--happy!--to let others tell him what to think about people.
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