This article basically argues that Facebook can’t really solve its misinformation and hate speech problem without changing its engagement‑first business model. Even when they created a “Responsible AI” team, leadership steered it away from tackling the core recommendation algorithms, so a lot of the work feels like PR rather than actually changing what users see.

I’ve seen people argue that moderating or banning hate just “drives it underground” and doesn’t actually solve anything, so this result surprised me. It lines up more with my experience that when a site actually enforces rules, it does somewhat work. It makes me more skeptical of platforms that claim they “can’t” moderate because it won’t work; this suggests it can work if they’re willing to take the hit.

This article breaks down what the new 988 number actually does and why it matters beyond “just another hotline.” It shows how 988 is supposed to fix a big problem with mental health crises going through 911, where people often end up in chaotic ERs or in dangerous encounters with police instead of getting real support. What I found most useful is how it connects the simple idea of a 3 digit number to the huge amount of work behind the scenes: building up local and backup call centers, funding more staff, and creating mobile crisis teams so someone can actually show up and help in person.

I like this because it connects social anxiety to the mechanics of feeds and likes. You’re not just doing something, but you’re also pre-imagining how it will look online and how people will react. That constant “watching yourself being watched” seems like it could intensify anxiety and make it harder to just be present.

I found this example of hand soap dispensers not recognizing darker skin tones particularly striking. It’s shocking to realize how deeply power imbalances can manifest in everyday design, often in ways that are invisible to those who aren't affected. This critique highlights the ethical responsibility of designers to consider who might be excluded by their choices. The idea that some designs should not exist if they inherently exclude people is bold but necessary, as it challenges the assumption that technological progress is always inherently good. It also reframes the designer's role as a facilitator, which feels like a much more equitable and collaborative approach to creating solutions.