Platform algorithms optimized emotionally charged content for viral spread.

Evidence

Academic Ian Bogost reflected, “Social-media operators discovered that the more emotionally charged the content, the better it spread across its users’ networks. Polarizing, offensive, or just plain fraudulent information was optimized for distribution.” — W. David Marx, Blank Space, 487

Categorization

• XREF: An early statement of the outrage-optimization mechanism that flatlines taste toward the most transgressive — connects to the omnivore monoculture’s preference for extremity. — connects to: Platform algorithms delivered foreign propaganda to its most receptive audiences — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 203