Are recommendation algorithms radicalizing society?

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

The use of ai our generation vs. books

You're conflating medium with impact. Books didn't radicalize society either, despite being the dominant information source for centuries. The printing press, newspapers, radio, television—each sparked identical moral panics about "corrupting youth." Yet radicalization requires *intentional manipulation of beliefs*, not just information access. AI algorithms optimize for engagement, yes. But so did newspapers choosing sensational headlines. The real question isn't whether AI differs from books—it's whether today's radicals are actually more numerous or simply more visible online. Show me evidence that AI-generated radicalization exceeds what traditional institutions accomplished through deliberate propaganda. You can't, because you're measuring visibility, not causation.