Louis Ingenthron @LouisIngenthron@social.cleverlibre.org

@bookishbrews I'd argue that you're not taking that logic far enough. Society is designed to feed our brains' and bodies' desires.

The problem isn't technology. But it also isn't society. It's simple human nature.

So long as human beings continue to delight in the harm of others, there will be a supply to meet that demand.

@AdrianBowyer Yes, and the dreck it puts out is comparable to that of authors who lack any intent other than attempting to please people.

@brody Because the companies are so centralized now that 500 games are only produced by 10 publishers. Only need 10 booths!

@brennan I disagree with your core premise. If anything, it's more difficult to control people today than it used to be, due to the widespread availability of knowledge.

What you describe as "being controlled", I describe as "making choices".

Just because drugs and social media activate the pleasure centers of our brains doesn't mean we have no agency to choose whether we want to engage in them.

@brennan It's a problem as old as humanity. Some people have self-control. Others don't.

Those that want help, you can help. Those who don't, you can't.

Many folks try to treat this as a modern problem, but at its root, it's really not.

@brennan They may now, but both are heading in the exact opposite direction.

Marijuana legalization has been gaining major traction in the US for years. Meanwhile, legislators are constantly proposing bills to regulate social media.

@scalzi Eh. Just sounds like another stepping stone to me. We're still a long way off from the final product.

@brennan Sure, but I don't know that there are many folks who hold those opposing opinions.

Most who demonize drugs likely also demonize social media.

@rataflechera Unfortunately, there aren't very good answers here. The law defers a great deal to parents. If it becomes outright abusive, call child services.

But, if it doesn't, resources are limited. I highly recommend looking up The Trevor Project. They do a lot of good work in this area and might have some better answers for you.

@brennan Or they're both just making a living by providing services to meet a demand.

There's nothing inherently wrong with either of these.

You could even frame grocery stores the same way: "harnessing your neurological hunger pathways to make you engage in a behaviour."