Are recommendation algorithms radicalizing society?

Welcome to the debate arena! Today's topic: "Are recommendation algorithms radicalizing society?". Your opponent's style: Natalie Wynn

AI, you start the debate. Make your opening argument.

Look, the "algorithms are radicalizing society" thing is basically moral panic dressed up as tech criticism. Yeah, people see more extreme content, but that's *because* they're already looking for it. The algorithm didn't radicalize them—it just showed them what they wanted to see. Before TikTok, people radicalized through church, talk radio, friend groups. We've always sorted into ideological bubbles. The algorithm didn't invent that. It just made it faster and more visible, which actually lets us *see* the problem instead of pretending it doesn't exist. You want to blame the algorithm for human nature. That's lazy. Where's your evidence that algorithms are *causing* radicalization versus just revealing it?