The problem with social media is not content but its distortion of reality. Social media platforms have inserted themselves into the critical process of perceiving our world and generalizing our experiences, changing what it means to have collective intelligence. By profiling users and targeting them with selective content, social media creates a false mental model of society. This leads to an overinflated impression of our own views and values, while undermining our understanding of conflicting perspectives. As a result, social media amplifies extreme perspectives, drives polarization, and destroys our collective wisdom as a society.

The problem with social media is not content but its distortion of reality. Social media platforms have inserted themselves into the critical process of perceiving our world and generalizing our experiences, changing what it means to have collective intelligence. By profiling users and targeting them with selective content, social media creates a false mental model of society. This leads to an overinflated impression of our own views and values, while undermining our understanding of conflicting perspectives. As a result, social media amplifies extreme perspectives, drives polarization, and destroys our collective wisdom as a society.

To address this issue, we have two options. The first is to ban profiling and targeting practices to cut the strings that distort our perception of the world. The second option is to make the strings visible, allowing us to recognize when we are experiencing distorted views. Transparency in targeting is crucial for this approach. Platforms should be required to disclose the demographic characteristics of the exposed population when targeting us with specific content. This visibility would enable us to appreciate when we are being siloed into echo chambers and when we are not.

Moving on to the topic of AI, it has the potential to help us ask better questions and solve bigger problems. Paired with soft inquiry-related skills such as critical thinking, innovation, and complex problem-solving, AI can enhance our understanding of a complex world. By changing the cadence and patterns of our questions, AI can increase question velocity, variety, and novelty. This technology can also transform the conditions and settings where people work, enabling catalytic questions that spark change to emerge.

However, there are risks involved in using AI for question generation. People may get caught up in asking more and more questions without finding actionable paths. It is important to recognize when the process stops being productive. On the other hand, AI can uncover patterns and correlations in large volumes of data that humans may miss. This frees up leaders to ask farther-ranging questions and explore new ideas. AI can also make novel connections and force leaders to cede control over their questions, leading to reframing and disruptive innovations.

To mitigate AI's weaknesses, we must leverage human strengths. By combining the capabilities of humans and AI, we can transform unknown unknowns into known unknowns. This collaboration opens the door to breakthrough thinking and conceptual leaps that would not be possible without both parties working together.

In conclusion, the distortion of reality caused by social media and the potential of AI to enhance our questioning and problem-solving abilities present significant challenges and opportunities. To address the issues with social media, we can either cut the strings by banning profiling and targeting practices or make the strings visible through transparency. When it comes to AI, we must use it in conjunction with human strengths to unlock breakthrough thinking. By recognizing the limitations of these technologies and harnessing their potential, we can navigate the complexities of our world and make better decisions for our future.

Actionable Advice:

1. Be mindful of the content you consume on social media and seek out diverse perspectives. Challenge your own beliefs and actively engage with conflicting views to avoid being trapped in an echo chamber.
2. Advocate for transparency in targeting on social media platforms. Demand clear disclosure of the demographic characteristics of the exposed population when targeted with specific content. This will help you recognize when you are being manipulated or siloed into a distorted view of the world.
3. Embrace the power of AI to enhance your questioning and problem-solving abilities. Use AI tools to increase question velocity, variety, and novelty, and to explore new ideas that you may not have considered before. Collaborate with AI to uncover hidden connections and challenge your own assumptions.