— Features economic analyses and commentary from the Barrys Economics Press series, covering diverse financial topics. —
Research from neuroscientist Molly Crockett, published in *Human Nature Behavior*, demonstrates that social media platforms are systematically designed to amplify moral outrage. While direct experience with immoral acts is rare in daily life, online environments drastically increase our exposure to
Decades of research by psychologist Tim Kasser draws a sharp distinction between two types of life goals. Intrinsic values, such as personal growth, relationships, and community contribution, are consistently linked to higher personal well-being. In stark contrast, extrinsic values—the prioritisatio
The story of Nicholas Perry offers a chilling case study in algorithmic capture. A classically trained violinist, Perry pivoted to making “mukbang” videos on YouTube, where creators eat vast quantities of food on camera. When his first attempt garnered 50,000 views, the platform’s reward system was