Is the architecture of social media eroding our collective humanity?

Science · Published 29 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In this conversation, legendary game designer Jeff Kaplan joins Lex Fridman to explore how digital toxicity is impacting human behavior and society.

The discussion centers on the destructive nature of online toxicity and its broader implications for humanity. Drawing from his experience in high-stakes game design at Blizzard, Kaplan provides a unique perspective on how interactive systems can influence social dynamics.

The dialogue serves as a critical look at the intersection of technology, community behavior, and the psychological toll of modern digital environments.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The design of survival: How a game simulates brutal human behavior
• What happens to the human brain after 6,000 hours of gaming?
• Can video games be a sanctuary or a symptom of depression?
• What drives the human urge to play?
• Are Virtual Worlds Forging Real-World Social Movements?
• How do large language models actually process the information they receive?
• When optimism becomes a mandate, it stops being hope and starts being denial
• How a rare planetary alignment helped map the world and measure the solar system.
• A rare, up-close look at the Vulcan rocket on the launch pad.
• How to safely observe the rare and spectacular transit of Venus across the sun
• Tourette Syndrome is more than just involuntary movements or sounds
• Why Venus transits across the Sun occur in rare, century-spanning pairs

More in Science · Latest · A–Z · All topics