Comment by kbos87
5 years ago
Honest question though, if we were to dig into “brain disorder”, how well defined is that really? Is there a measurable effect on a human brain when using an “addictive” product vs. one we are coming back to because we like to use it?
The dividing line over whether an addiction or behaviour is "bad" is whether or not it negatively affects your life and/or the lives of those around you.
https://www.asam.org/Quality-Science/definition-of-addiction
At least with tobacco there’s good evidence of chemical dependency on nicotine. That IMO is what distinguishes that from whatever moral panic people are into at the moment.
Even chemical dependency is more complicated than initially thought. See the rat park experiment.
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/what-does-rat-park-tea...
That's a really good analogy for algorithmic tweaks to your timeline to promote engagement. Replace incendiary content with drugs, and community/enriching content with... well, community and enriching activities... and it really does look like fb is doing its best to replicate the "empty cage with a bottle of heroin" environment on your phone.