How a handful of tech companies control billions of minds every day | Tristan Harris

A handful of people working at a handful of tech companies steer the thoughts of billions of people every day, says design thinker Tristan Harris. From Facebook notifications to Snapstreaks to KZbin autoplays, they're all competing for one thing: your attention. Harris shares how these companies prey on our psychology for their own profit and calls for a design renaissance in which our tech instead encourages us to live out the timeline we want.
Tristan Harris co-hosts "Your Undivided Attention", a podcast from the TED Audio Collective that explores the incredible power that technology has over our lives -- and how we can use it to catalyze a humane future. Subscribe to the TED Audio Collective at / tedaudiocollective
If you love watching TED Talks like this one, become a TED Member to support our mission of spreading ideas: ted.com/membership
Follow TED!
Twitter: / tedtalks
Instagram: / ted
Facebook: / ted
LinkedIn: / ted-conferences
TikTok: / tedtoks
The TED Talks channel features talks, performances and original series from the world's leading thinkers and doers. Subscribe to our channel for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design - plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit TED.com to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.
go.ted.com/tristanharris
• How a handful of tech ...
TED's videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (or the CC BY - NC - ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (www.ted.com/ab.... For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at media-requests...

[@Liamb2179]

Saw this guy the new netflix doc (the social dilemma), he's been fighting this fight for years. People should really listen.

[@rafiqshah2022]

How is social dilemma???!!!

[@lakshyashrungarpure]

@@rafiqshah2022 one of the best documentaries created.. it's not whether it is good or not, it's a must watch

[@brooketavo9389]

@@rafiqshah2022 you must watch it. everyone should. its really eye opening. i deleted my facebook instagram twitter and snapchat and it’s been two weeks and i’ve never felt better

[@rafiqshah2022]

@@brooketavo9389 and I'm assuming you wouldn't have felt missing out on smthn...

[@shyamjs4202]

@@rafiqshah2022 A must watch

[@GenJotsu]

"Your best friend and your worst enemy is your brain. Whether you're conscious of it or not; that's the point."

[@devonseamoor]

@Jo King. That's a contradiction in itself, for the fact that when it's realized that your brain is your best friend or worst enemy, your consciousness has kicked in. This statement, or quote, is an example of escapism, a denial of one's freedom of choice and the ability to act on it. Go back to school, your own thinking.

[@divyanshmishra3551]

Marian B. 😗

[@Rukain]

Discipline is freedom. We must practice mindfulness and disciplining ourselves.

[@tonyc_10]

Yup!

[@luisbauer78]

I would even go one step further and say personal discipline is essential for a stable free society in the long term. I see no other way to prevent a brave new world

[@micoaruno]

Well said, keep it up. Nirvana is true freedom.

[@rktsnail]

GET AFTER IT BROTHER

[@arafathossainsakib8657]

Thnx obito

[@BikramjeetMridha]

'The Social Dilemma' conversations aside. Can we just appreciate the enthusiasm from the audience that this man absolutely deserves?

[@lockerius4208]

I'm not there yet, no spoilers!!!!

[@ChrisProuse]

This is incredibly important, and why I'd encourage anyone to get outdoors with friends and family - you would not believe how good it feels to spend an entire week off the grid, completely disconnected from phones, the internet, and notification of any kind. Push past a day or two of withdrawal and begin to find a rhythm. It's incredibly therapeutic... but there's no shortcut, link, or app for it... you have to experience it for yourself. Given the opportunity, I think most of us have a natural affinity for nature and being around other people... so it's a shame we spend so much of our time away from the people and places that we resonate with most.

[@ristonbuttello8771]

ITs called tech-detox

[@GingerGingie]

I think it's less of a problem here in Europe. We have 6+ weeks of vacation time, our kids have shorter school days and more outdoors time during the day, more people walk and bike for commute... we don't need to escape from our lives so we're less susceptible to this kind of thing. There's less of a 'binge on tech, binge on tech-free' kind of mentality, it's just taken with a grain of salt and in moderation.

[@MattOGormanSmith]

or rather the people who have persuaded you they are your friends and family :)

[@Maxander2001]

The internet is where I get my social time with humans in. Outdoors I socialize with animals only, pretty much. They don't use internet yet.

[@Maxander2001]

Are they even people? Perhaps they are the reptile people in disguise. :D

[@makisekuurisuu]

I really admire Tristan Harris' ability and dedication to raise awareness of what's going on underneath the hood of our current technology; I will definitely support him for a lifetime. He taught me to value ethics in technology, and a majority of people always fail to have their 'ethical values' considered when it comes to technology.

[@tomwaitsmencse]

These “Ethical values” have lead to this point. We are on the precipice of world war three and will likely see mass violence ahead of the next election. You should fear utopian thinkers.

[@ms.playboyinternational393]

honey. don't think I don't admire him too, but he could just be lying to us.

[@narsimha_reddy]

Who's here after watching the social dilemma

[@lockerius4208]

Yeah boy, right after.........

[@HabiburRahman-xl4wr]

Me

[@camilar.369]

That’s me

[@lammm077]

so insightful

[@amisha5269]

Were we manipulated to watch this video?

[@nt5342]

Instant gratification is demon

[@ProfessorSyndicateFranklai]

The Demon is the thing that you really know you shouldn't be doing, but you enjoy in the moment, and come to regret later.

[@Kim-jo8px]

No it's a survival instinct. Without instant gratification tendency among your ancestors ,you would not be here to write this comment.

[@alejandroperez9603]

Rather than instant gratification, it is intermittent positive reinforcement and social approval :)

[@devonseamoor]

@@Kim-jo8px Survival instinct is a part of us being human. It's not what rules us unless we choose it. Nothing is done to us or making us do things unless we declare it to be so. Our beliefs are based on subjective perception and we've got a lifetime to sort them out so that we arrive at the bottom line ;)

[@andrewstage6903]

you know it, nivesh

[@josh3035]

I was manipulated into watching this video.

[@DonDadaDeeski]

Parks Sasine 😄

[@ROby98516]

or maybe you chose the information you wanted to see but anyways ,, doesnt matter if u understand the video or not everyone will keep doing nothing , everyone will continue they're lifes

[@seeamerica1]

I never click on a title that includes the words "Shocking, Weird, Secret, Horror", or phrases like "You won't believe what happened next!" Also won't click on video pics that look photo shopped. all are just click bait & odds are not true.

[@mayue6195]

my brain is like an ads filter now, maybe something like ,eh , information filter? often i just automatically skip those title, but i still remember how excited i was getting when i first met the internet.

[@haris000000]

Ma Yue ads arent bad. if you have arthritis then an arthritis medication ad is good for you. the problem is those poorly targezed ads

[@thetommantom]

The time line transformed into a newsfeed. Getting rid of chronological order was the worst thing to happen.

[@stealthis]

@@____JO Any proof or just trying to muddy the waters

[@GoodKingMort]

As a 21 year old, I’m in the only generation of people that *grew up* with and without all of this. I remember, as a child, using dial-up to play Club Penguin etc, but I didn’t have social media and the manipulation that’s currently infecting our daily lives. It’s getting much much worse.

[@ivornoiv]

Why is so difficult to accept our weaknesses. We would be much more intelligent if we could just acknowledge them and do something about them with love and feets on the ground. This message Tristan gives is so so important. We need to bend the way.

[@MikenNinginThai]

It's called exploration capitalism is good at it on all aspects

[@Galshaer]

Thank you for the talk young man, I am sure you have sacrificed much to give it. You have my respect and appreciation. Thank you.

[@jwh0122]

3:14 snapstreaks 4:39 outrage feed is chosen to get more attention 5:32 business model 3 radical changes 6:56 acknowledge that we're persuadable 7:28 need new accountability systems 7:55 need a design renaissance

[@aliyahvasquez3008]

Hello, do you know What the claim, counterarguemt, and rebuttal the speaker is explaining? I have to write an essay and I am having a hard time identifying them?

[@kevinsanghvi5928]

"if something is free, you are the product"

[@LINNEAPEALINGONSLEA]

This talk should be performed at schools, get to the kids/teenagers who are growing up and getting effected by this issue directly.

[@jakeforrest4570]

I showed it to them today! I mostly heard *crickets* afterwards. I don't think they care - it's the world we've built for them.

[@ProfessorSyndicateFranklai]

There needs to be more views! Every citizen on the internet should watch this!

[@risingstar3344]

Still not enough yet smh

[@fadiliqbal8329]

It would be quite a paradox if KZbin wanted this to be the most watched TED Talk

[@FaisalAzad]

I have noticed that his other videos get fewer views and little comments. I don't think YT algorithms recommends his videos because it hurts their business model: More attention, more revenue. Let's beat the algorithm and start sharing this video and his message.

[@asphaltmessimer1384]

I just wanted to say this lol. How funny ,I couldn't find comments with lot of likes here. Algos controlling everything..

[@Vkep4eto]

From time to time TED hits gold.

[@KeyyRussell]

its funny because im binge watching TEDx talks

[@TwistedScarlett60]

Amazing talk, millions need to see this.

[@sexyrexy6358]

Saw Tristan on Social Dilemma last night. The only person I ever watched on TV who looks and sounds sincere, credulous and genuine. Voice, tone, Body language - it's all congruent. How many people can we say that about even in our own lives?

[@muhammed8089]

The Video title captured my attention. Title Paradox

[@UserUnknownKappa]

Same

[@vazquezb2011]

Irony, maybe?

[@jonathanquarles3708]

Your comment captured my attention.

[@muhammed8089]

Jonathan Quarles Now it's going to be an endless loop.

[@muhammed8089]

Jonathan Quarles your reply captured my attention

[@LeonardBustos]

Wow! One of the most relevant and important TED Talks I have ever seen - and I have seen hundreds - the question is - who decides the influencers, are their motives altruistic, and what would motivate them to direct our thoughts towards what is in our best interest?

[@loreleigold8017]

There are a bunch of big corporations at the top of all of this trying to sell us things through influencing our thinking. Think of big pharma. They pay doctors to prescribe medications. That is a very obvious influence but it works as medications are overprescribed these days. Big corporations are invested in influencing our thinking so they can sell us products. They use very nuanced psychological techniques to sell us a feeling vs. a product. They make it so we are always desiring more and are always chasing the feeling of being "good enough" and having what our peers have.

[@zhihaoh8817]

This reminds me a lot of the book Deep Work by Cal Newport, a book I recommend you should read.

[@pythonanimalia]

ZhihaoH currently reading it.

[@SpOnGeBoB-db6mu]

ZhihaoH what is s book? o.O

[@johnfortner357]

jebidia freeman a collection of written words used to form a story or provide information about something in an in depth way

[@LambeauLeeeper]

John Fortner lmao..

[@KatariaGujjar]

@@SpOnGeBoB-db6mu 😂😂😂😂😂

[@alihamdani6605]

"The only ethical form of persuasion is when the goals of the persuader are aligned with the goal of the persuadee."

[@NaumRusomarov]

Kinda explains why I get this creepy feeling like I'm being stalked every time I have to use any of the popular apps/services. Which is why I just use regular old e-mail for everything, and even that is too much sometimes.

[@JohnyK07]

After the past 3 years, and especially 2020, it's amazing how relevant this Talk would become... It's right up there together with Bill Gates talk about the risk of a world pandemic. We all know the reason this video is not trending more is because it would hurt the revenue of youtube. The algorithm is always optimizing itself.

[@andybaldman]

Right on.

[@romanzapata7613]

yep, doesn't seem like tech giants built that design renaissance he was speaking of lol

[@JoshuaOtusanya]

*TED, you motivated me to start KZbin and I'm only at 2,900 but I'm loving making videos a lot! Thank you!*

[@crispym1]

Wow good job man, idk if you’ll read this but it seems you worked hard and succeeded

[@matthewwayne98]

I'm am outraged! I'm going to post about this in Facebook! ... Right after I watch this next video.

[@nano7586]

It doesn't count if you're aware of doing so :P I just shared it on facebook cause I think he makes great points.

[@skullcrusher701]

@@jacquielapierredufresne5468 Wait

[@anTT94572]

LMAOOOO

[@EricLeCrennSanchez]

Just leaving a comment in the hopes that it might make this video more likely to be shared by the algorithm

[@jackiejack2031]

Thank you me too😊

[@daveg5857]

This is excellent. It's a serious problem and a great presentation. We should all educate each other on this. When you're conscious that you're being manipulated and how, you can act accordingly.

[@occupymcm]

Very true, once we're aware we can collectively move in the right direction😊 I cover similar content on my channel!

[@user990077]

My lizard brain is really mad they are messing with my lizard brain...

[@weareallbeingwatched4602]

user990077 IT IS MY LIZARD BRAIN. NO... IT IS MY LIZARD BRAIN. OI HANDS OFF MY LIZARD BRAIN. IT IS *MY* LIZARD BRAIN! All your lizard brains are belong to lizard brain.

[@devonseamoor]

Your lizard brain obeys the programming, saying this. Nothing is messing with it, you're the one who allows access to it. You're the conductor of your lizard brain.

[@ryan_cha190]

I like the last part that the host asked questions. We should have more people try to send us this kind of messages.

[@taylordavies7823]

Like Tristan said, if we could change the system and approach of apps and social media back to being a tool rather than a attention and time sucker, we could have more freedom and in fact be more productive! There never seems to be enough time when I think there is, it's just that we aren't using it most effectively and not at our fault. An hour or two a day that is normally used to carelessly scroll on facebook or waste away an hour on youtube because it's a habit, could turn into memorable, genuine conversations, planning and progress towards life goals and so much more. Thank you Tristan for your wise words!

[@richhornie7000]

Recommendation is actually far more dangerous at sucking your time up than auto play. Why do you think KZbin allows you to turn off auto play and even allow you to set timer to rest from KZbin? Because it knows that these features do not reduce your watch time. It is turning off recommendation that does, and it cannot be done.

[@patrickvalentino600]

Here after hearing an interview he did in 2023 on AI, wanting to see what a snapshot was of his position and outlook years ago... Watching this just solidified all the horrible things that came up in the later interview. We are, as Aristotle said, screwed. Screwed because the only real way out is through a massive effort by people of virtue, humility, self awareness, and intelligence, and I don't think we have the requisite stock.

[@joefrederick6471]

The tech companies now are convincing us to quit thinking altogether via AI. It’s awful. Unfortunately too many don’t have the intelligence or self awareness to do without these things anymore as they have been brainwashed beyond repair.

[@johnTMcNeill]

I make a conscious effort to control what goes into my mind, but I acknowledge the barrage of information that is headed my way - constantly. It gives me great pleasure to have adblock on all of my devices, but that is only a portion of the messages I receive daily. Still- it is one thing I would not ever do without.

[@shantanukulkarni007]

This is happening since the dawn of humanity. Remember how kings used to persuade us to die for their cause by making us think we are doing it for our mother land/God. Now persuasive people dont want our lives just our attention.

[@GeneDexter]

shantanu kulkarni Today we call them Elected Officials.

[@abhishekkumar3679]

shantanu kulkarni People also preferred to die for their king because they knew if they didn't then the next king would probably invade them and kill them all.

[@TomFranklinX]

*The Evils of Capitalism!!!*

[@krux02]

Don't play this problem down. There is a big difference if you might stumble upon a persuasive person, or if the persuasive people can reach everybody with a smartphone at any time.

[@TimesNuRoman]

It always starts with getting your attention.

[@carolowendro5360]

He says that this race to getting our attention is the underlying problem of all our problems, but I think the reason these companies are so focused on that is capitalism. Because a company's goal is to make money, and these companies sell our attention to advertisers. So the companies have no incentive to use their technology to make the world a better place. We need a system that incentives working on problems like income inequality, global warming, etc., instead of only incentivizing making money. Then technology companies would have an incentive to use technology to work on these problems

[@devonseamoor]

There's an intelligence that is extraterrestrial by nature, a consciousness that thrives on drawing all of our attention to it by means of persuasion. For we've got to offer it by our free will, that's key. That consciousness is artificial and yet masterful in the art of persuasion and magic in dark shades. Some of us have given it a name through eons of time. Saruman, Voldemort, Ahriman, Yaldeboth, Beelzebub, the 666 Beast, the Devil, the Draco reptilian race, Annunaki who are also called the Fallen Angels. It's all part of the game here, life in a free will zone. Free will as in a basic condition, not as in practical use as a law or rule. It's obvious that most of us hardly feel and make use of our free will. Power over humanity's consciousness is the ultimate goal, for the lack of feeling a sense of belonging and being a force from within oneself that has the right to live. Underneath most oppression is self-denial, self-hatred and trauma. The use of black magic and making friends in astral realms is a sublimation of that pain. And money is the means to get there. Look into the Wizard of Oz. That Wizard is an excellent example of those who hold the strings, while in hiding. Until the curtain falls. Which isn't that far in our future as I perceive it. Fear not, be awake.

[@rick92rr]

The comment from Marian lost my attention, but yours is completely true, I studied Digital Design, and now that I graduated, I produce a channel with my partner, and boost social media in order for us to have presence in digital platforms. We do all of this, because we want more people to watch our videos, and notice us, so we can make a living.

[@DrewzThunder]

That's very true. The pretense that set the stage for companies to compete for our attention only existed in the first place because of the Capitalism that governs our global society. If that was taken out of the equation, then maybe, maybe the companies would instead opt for developing technology that benefit all humankind.

[@traceuse13]

You are absolutely correct. Keep spreading the good word

[@traceuse13]

@@danielswierczynski2001 not meaning to be confrontational and peace to you. But I would like to counter the idea that capitalism isn't an oligarchical/authoritarian system because it most definitely is. Those who privately own the resources the rest of us need to live have a totalitarian power over us. In this system the workers and regular joes hardly have any voice while the corporate business owners can dictate their will and we have to follow or risk getting fired, etc. That's just one example of how capitalism is rigged and inherently unequal from its foundation. The very idea that someone can privately own something (land, water bodies, medication, factories for making necessities, etc) that other people need to live puts everyone else at a massive disadvantage.

[@dannimcknight2703]

This video has been an amazing source for a research proposal I’m working on, I haven’t thought about so many of these things. Crazy how technology and brands cater to our desires and causes us to become infatuated with them.

[@ShowlidSnake]

I like how the audience think he's finished and start to applause, and then he starts to talk again.

[@shouvikroy3178]

Tristan is da "MAN". His videos for the another popular youtube channel "BIG THINK" resonates with same topics and subjects.

[@civilbeing-8812]

15:34 Just look at his Eye Contact! That' Confident!!

[@uhnah5099]

I don't have any notification other than text/email. Social media is useless to me

[@ProfessorSyndicateFranklai]

Email is also coercive. It's basically a slot machine of you've got mail, ranging from spam to something slightly more important. Also, networking, if you can work up enough self resilience.

[@devonseamoor]

Instead of saying that we've got a problem, we'd better say "We've got a condition, a situation right now that I want to address" and as a second step act on it, as a conscious choice. So many of us get stuck in the bombardment of problems we face today, depleted of their energy, due to that awareness. It's a loop we need to pay attention too, we're never victims in our life.

[@tty2020]

That's why I don't use Facebook.

[@duckenomics7981]

You're on youtube right now amigo

[@Dionyzos]

As far as I know KZbin is not Facebook

[@arrowstheorem1881]

Daniel TTY Human pyramid . 99% humans are not as smart as the smartest top 1%

[@seeamerica1]

If by the top 1% you mean the richest and Trump is included, then your statement is false. Intelligence has nothing to do with being elitist or rich.

[@vodkastrats]

seeamerica1 Why is that relevant?

[@CP-ro1dd]

When this video came out 6 years ago there were 1 billion smartphone owners - today that figure is closer to 6 billion

[@lxc647]

"I should be doing my homework but..." "it's 3 am and i have school tomr" "im at work..." "final exam tmr" "notification squad"

[@libertylovinglibertarian2528]

I'm addicted to you tube. BIG TIME. I have been able to avoid getting involved with any other social media mainly because I am afraid that it will cut into my you tube time. I find you tube more interesting than any human I know. It has become my best friend. I listen to videos while I brush my teeth, take showers, shave my face, while driving etc.etc. I have literally lost my desire to have a normal life. I now wonder if I will ever get married, have kids etc. Don't get me wrong, I love my life, as long as I have plenty of you tube time.

[@Lauren-fx6hn]

I tried to clean the black dot that is his mic off my screen multiple times.

[@faivyoukay]

I'm referring to the end of this video. Did anyone else feel that they were awkwardly too close to each other?

[@MrCoolerBeans]

@@AbhishekSharma-ft8rk no >:(

[@onkar7473]

Yes i felt that

[@abhishekchaudhary4644]

A great talk. The speaker really dove deep into the behavioral mechanics and was very clear in his message that the way things are today, they can be better with social media. One man's tool is another man's weapon.

[@Cody_x1995]

I think the underlying problem is selfish behavior and the solution is community and its an individual struggle/project everyone needs to work on and this way we will be able to collectively grow leaving no prisoners behind. But it requires patience and love - focusing on the journey more than the results/profits.

[@MoneyGist]

I love the point on outrage 😏 And as usual, those last 2 minutes where Chris steps up to ask a few questions help distill the key points from the entire talk 👍

[@helloardanish]

Me open youtube : "Saw a video at home screen,Wow! That's look interesting." After few minutes: "Ahh, I'm trapped" Few moments later : "Bur I watched it because of KZbin" My overthinking : "You could've read the book and got the idea." Few moments later : "Byee youtube, will come to you when I only want to see one(only about 1 single thing) productive video." BTW Thank you KZbin for recommending and showing at home screen.

[@fahdiqbal1609]

I keep my Cell Phone off on Sundays feels great.

[@georgiapostolov297]

A big portion of technopanic here. If we put "media" instead of "internet" in this talk all the rest is the same. But can we imagine a modern world without media?

[@hansluft5557]

Well, you`re right television works the same. Does it make it better? Is the yellow press bringing any other value than pollution? The big difference is that new media represents a lower threshold offer. The result is much more addiction. Therefore we need a better media education. In this manner the talk is helping I think.

[@el936]

At the end of the day/life, every time spent on Netflix, Facebook and KZbin, is worthless.

[@IsaacStark6]

Information is not worthless. Just people interpretation of that information.

[@afrosymphony8207]

i am a photographer and a newbie graphics designer, when i use instagram and started checking out other photographers and graphic designers for inspiration, instagram noticed that and keeps suggesting other cool pages i should visit even on my popular page, because of this i was exposed to ALOT of cool art i wouldnt have been able to come across if instagram didnt do this. i believe this is the same model other social media sites use, they dont just put random things on your timeline that you dont care about, they check what you usually view on a day to day basis and put things that align with your interests.

[@ladyn7588]

Two weeks ago I’ve deleted all my social webs, like Facebook and others except KZbin. I was surprised when my friends and coworkers were shocked about it like I’m going to move on Mars forever. They all looked so stressed out and tried to warn me like “OMG think twice before you do such thing!” Oh, really? I just didn’t expect that people can be so addicted to a simple stuffs like that, which for most of us is nothing but waist of time. Actually, my husband did the same about three years ago and I’ve never seen him regretting...

[@rolandm8393]

This guy just spoke out against TED on a TED talk. I seriously agree with what he's saying though. I've seen multiple accounts of people engrossed with streaks, and if they are lost they will cry.

[@karynnmackinnon3975]

This is powerful. I also just watched The Social Dilemma. Great work!!!

[@topten6746]

right after watching "the social dilema" movie, my youtube recommended me this video. am i being watched by somebody, am i being manupulated by someone, i don't know. but after watching the social dilema movie one thing made me clear, stay away from these apps which consume your time and don't result in any benfit for us.

[@heinzheinz1650]

I recommend to watch Adam Curtis' "Century of the self" to understand how our brain works and how it is exposed since long even if in different ways. It is a long documentation thou. Curtis made a bunch of interesting docu. Especially the last "Hypernormalisation" also addresses the topic of new technology on us (Trailer called: Living in an unreal world). There is more to read or listen (Nicholas Carr, Manfred Spitzer - some in german some in english). But beware you need to spend attention and that is what it is about :-) cheers.

[@cob1965]

Yes a brilliant series. He needs to do another one called the new century of the self!

[@Terrakinetic]

This ideal would also allow humanity to immediately punish and extirpate the greedy outliers that unfairly and inefficiently monopolize the world's resources. Which is why this ideal will not happen unless...

[@NiinaSKlove]

Thankfully there's an off button when it comes to You Tube's auto play.

[@luna_lovegood4904]

I'm doing censorship as my topic for a TED talk style assessment at school and this really helped me with some points! share this discussion, don't let big brother take over!

[@bognarandras8398]

This is so true, it's fking scary.

[@achuthn7284]

sadly youtube never suggested this..

[@abriellh]

google needs to build its algorithm to make students research and test the world to gain understanding and complex ideas about the world

[@werwars1190]

That is so true. It is even give us a lack of reflection on our suitable behavior. It was never easy to behave. Who knows what is the aim making people learn to get outrageous beside being easy costumers of a deep mind of some cloud company.

[@eirlvous9980]

I aam a teenager and for this reason I decide to not have any SOCIAL MEDIA The life is much better without them, trust me!!

[@shannonmcintyre9117]

Mass consiousness is an important topic. Thank you for the focus on this issue.

[@pizzahighfive2612]

"what?! shut up with all that conspiracy nonsense go see a doctor!". Is what I hear everytime I talk about this stuff

[@ElvishShellfish]

you must not live in the Bay Area. Its the big industry around here. Attention is the crude oil for the advertising industry, and social media companies spend billions of dollars to capture and keep people's attention.

[@JohnyK07]

Curious to know what they would say now, after 2020 happened.

[@mrstuerffs]

I wish I would have watched this when it came out. Poor Tristan. He's been warming us for years

[@mandysandy6025]

the most logical thing i have ever heard

[@digitalhuman2768]

Brilliant! We need more Tristan Harris in this world

[@ahmedssaya4244]

One Word BRILLIANT !

[@deborahford8470]

He's excellent. We need to hear this message.

[@Dionyzos]

The best way to capture my attention is to make an amazing product that works how it's supposed to be and is not plastered with ads. Not everyone is easily manipulated and stupid.

[@AA-iv2mx]

U don’t have to agree with it but this is so true. It’s changed our life so much. It could be even greater world if we just become aware of ourselves and this world. Especially what we spend our time on !

[@geoengr3]

Here's a thought: Delete your FakeBook account. I did and I've never regretted that decision.

[@ethy261]

This is so profound, insightful and enlightening.

[@krisvalencia081]

I was going to yell out "Notification Squad!" But I guess this isn't the right video to do that in. (.__.)

[@BuickGeek24]

I am part of the notification squad though

[@mariad9447]

The end during questioning; that people don't even know this exists is why it is important to start this conversation

[@finnsstudio]

GOOGLE. Don't be evil.

[@bvgg833]

I have been reading / thinking / trying to become aware of the problem with tech and addiction for a while now. I am glad that Tristan is raising awareness (although I wish I was the one doing it lel).

[@davidswe98]

i hate social media and all that it stands for

[@ElvishShellfish]

Imma retweet this.

[@stefannikola]

I'm grateful to him for informing us. This TED Talk is the pinnacle of his career . . . because the tech industry is going to blacklist him for the rest of his life.

[@AbhishekZambre]

It was a good talk.

[@HighWarlordJC]

This reminds me. It's time for my monthly check up on facebook. See what I've missed in the last month.

[@ashleynelson3501]

Lol that guy at the end came in to question him as damage control cause he's part of the organization that this guy was calling out and he wanted to distract the people from the insight they had just gained and make them lose everything.

[@Truth-4-Humanity]

Agreed! Especially by suggesting that there is no evil intent in steering humanity this way, and that the tech world is full of really good people who just want to make a better world, which couldn't be further from the truth. At the top, big tech is funded by billionaire and trillionaire elites who view the rest of us as a herd of slaves to be domesticated and managed. They want to control every aspect of our lives through technology and are slowly programming us to trade our privacy and freedoms for efficiency and a false sense of security.

[@AribZeeshan]

The Solution (That I Think) Is That Keep A DumbPhone (Phones With Physical Keyboard) As Your Primary Phone With All The Minimum Features You Will NEED (Not Want) Also Don't Become A Caveman....Have A Smart Phone But Switched Off With A Very Long Password So That You Will Use It When You Will NEED IT (Not When You Want It)

[@realhumphreyappleby]

Snapchat is cancer.

[@yunusdurdygulyyew9270]

I am liking this video and leaving a comment so KZbin algorithm can show this video to more people. This so important!

[@joannot6706]

He is never going to find a job again...

[@pandaonsteroids5154]

I'm reading an article about him right now for my AP Seminar class, and.. you might be right. But he's SO passionate, I don't think he cares.. He self-funds his own organization for the purpose of making phones less addictive. I think he has a really good message, but he's extreme. I love it though. We need radicals in the world to push for important things because no one ever gets EVERYTHING they work for and if half of a radical's agenda gets accomplished.. It's more of a moderate change than radical one, and that's a good thing.. We need people strongly pushing for stuff.

[@devonseamoor]

Another way of looking at it is "He'll never have to return to slavery again, deciding to create a life for himself" It can be done, you see? No money no cry.

[@ericamory1507]

Thank you so much for your presentation, it helpful a lot ! I really appreciate what you are doing . Bless you !

[@DAVET0NE]

Man, this made me want to ditch the internet and cellphone and get a landline phone service at my place

[@lynnwalker3503]

I have a land line. I highly recommend it because you never know when the cell phone towers might go down.