> The platforms are addictive not because they're designed to be, but because they pick out the best and most interesting content!
The best by the users interests or the best for the advertisers? I think ignoring the personal and societal effects of social media is something you do at your own peril.
As a broad response, let's just say not everything is perfect. These systems can be and are abused (by publishers, malicious actors). Yes, let's fix those.
But let's not overlook why these things have become popular in the first place (from a utility point of view). Google made the whole web searchable and digestable. Facebook made social & forum content much higher utility than before. YT did the same with billions of mostly-uninteresting videos.
Going back to an old style forum & email-list experience is a step backwards. Well, be my guest, do it if you like :) I won't.
See Reddit, Hackernews etc regarding how social cues can be used for ranking/curation. Yet, those platforms do a bare minimum (imo not quite enough). E.g. Google Feed is more engaging, interesting, and informative (in my experience).
The best by the users interests or the best for the advertisers? I think ignoring the personal and societal effects of social media is something you do at your own peril.