Read Jonathan Rauch’s book The Constitution of Knowledge, Jonathan Haidt’s essay “Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid,” and watch the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma. Then develop an argument that addresses the following claim: The “epistemic crisis” in which Americans live in different “reality silos” is so catastrophic that we need to find solutions to repairing that fractured reality. How might proposed solutions compromise the First Amendment and free speech? With social media doxing people and with misinformation leading to reckless behavior in the face of a pandemic and threatening democracy itself, how do we address the problem of free speech in the age of weaponized misinformation? How does the politicization of everything lead to distrust in institutions? How does social media create a “race to the bottom”? Regarding how we treat free speech, are we in a “damned if we do, damned if we don’t” situation? Explain.
Introduction Paragraph
In paragraph 1, draw from Rauch’s book, Haidt’s essay, and The Social Dilemma to define the “epistemic crisis” and the different “reality silos” that have polarized Americans.
Thesis Paragraph
In paragraph 2, present your thesis with a structure that could like like one of the following 3 examples:
To address the crisis of the “epistemic crisis” we need to get to the root of systemic misinformation by _____________, _____________, ______________, and _______________________.
Attempts to mend the “epistemic crisis” are doomed to fail because ________________, _______________, _____________, and __________________________.
The “epistemic crisis” is a fabricated problem created by partisan hacks in order to silence marginalized voices that give vent to unpopular political ideas. This fabrication is evident when we examine ______________, __________________, ________________, and _____________________.
Body Paragraphs 4-7, support your claim or thesis.
Paragraphs 8 and 9, write 2 counterarguments and 2 rebuttals.
Paragraph 10, your conclusion, an emotionally powerful restatement of your thesis.
Last page: Works Cited with 4 sources minimum in MLA format.
Recommended 4th Source in addition to above:
Podcast: "Social Media Is Ruining Everything with Jonathan Haidt," from Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps.
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