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Outrage Machine

How Tech Amplifies Discontent, Disrupts Democracy—And What We Can Do About It

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Outrage Machine

Written by: Tobias Rose-Stockwell
Narrated by: Justin Price, Bolton Marsh, Tobias Rose-Stockwell
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An invaluable guide to understanding how the internet has broken our brains—and what we can do to fix it.

"Vivid and unforgettable.” ―Jonathan Haidt, New York Times bestselling author of The Righteous Mind

The original internet was not designed to make us upset, distracted, confused, and outraged. But something unexpected happened at the turn of the last decade, when a handful of small features were quietly launched at social media companies with little fanfare. Together, they triggered a cascading set of dramatic changes to how media, politics, and society itself operate—inadvertently creating an Outrage Machine we cannot ignore.

Author, designer, and media researcher Tobias Rose-Stockwell shares the defining shifts caused by these technologies, and how they have ignited a society-wide crisis of trust. Drawing from cutting-edge research and vivid personal anecdotes, Rose-Stockwell illustrates how social media has bound us to an unprecedented system of public performance, training us to react rather than reflect, and attack rather than debate. Outrage Machine reveals the triggers and tactics used to exploit our anger, unpacking how these tools hack our deep tribal instincts and psychological vulnerabilities, and how they have become opportunistic platforms for authoritarians and a threat to democratic norms everywhere.

But this book is not just about the problem. In a story spanning continents and generations, Rose-Stockwell explores how every new media technology disrupts our ability to make sense of the world, from the printing press to the telegraph, from radio to television. Outrage Machine situates social media within a historical cycle of confusion, violence, and emerging tolerance. Using clear language and powerful illustrations, this book reveals the magnitude of the challenges we face, while offering realistic solutions and a promising pathway out.

"An absolutely urgent read.” ―Ryder Carroll, New York Times bestselling author of The Bullet Journal Method History & Culture Ideologies & Doctrines Internet & Social Media Politics & Government Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences Technology Thought-Provoking Socialism Rage
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What the critics say

“Tobias is a master of intuition and metaphor. This is a vivid and unforgettable book.”—Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist at New York University and #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Righteous Mind
“Based on solid research, this is a disturbing examination of the destructive impact of social media.”—Kirkus
“A masterful appraisal of how social media platforms feed on users’ anger. . . . The historical perspective enlightens, and the author’s sensible suggestions—including recommendations to make algorithms more transparent and to rigorously verify that ‘all users are real humans’—chart a way out of the morass. The result is a superior take on how to tame social media.”
—Publishers Weekly (Starred)
“A riveting exploration of the double-edged sword of our time: social media. This book provides a road map of how we got here, what’s really at stake, and how we can find our way out. An absolutely urgent read.” —Ryder Carroll, New York Times bestselling author of The Bullet Journal Method
“With insight and sensitivity, Tobias offers a deep examination of how digital technologies are shaping our perceptions, relationships, and even our sense of personal identity. This book offers a vital perspective that’s needed for us to build a more humane future.”—Tristan Harris, cofounder of Center for Humane Technology, cohost of Your Undivided Attention podcast, as seen in the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma
All stars
Most Relevant
I was mildly interested in this book and it's concept, but I was immediately drawn in by the well explained science and theory discussed. The narrator has a pleasing voice and good tempo which makes the listen even better. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. As a person who doesn't go on social media for fear of being misconstrued or ganged up on, it was highly educational. 10/10

A must read

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Every single word of this book was intentional. As a reader, I felt engaged and held. I felt understood and carried. I am walking away with insights about myself and the world of social media that I would have likely never come to without this book. Thank you Tobias.

Tobias is a succinct, thought provoking human

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Amazing!
Now I understand how our world has become so divided in such a short period of time. When you see how the machine works, it becomes easy to end your addiction to the outrage. It was in the first few chapters that I forgave all the terrible people on the other side of the internet, because I realize social media brings us the things that outrage us the most and turns us all into monsters.
I truly believe this book alone can turn down the hate.
I’m buying 2 print versions to pass on to the people I love to try and save our relationships.
Thank you for this book Tobias! You just might be saving our world.

This is the most important book you’ll read this decade

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