Comment by Observer3445 on The reward function is already how well you manipulate humans · 2022-10-23T14:55:52.579Z · LW · GW

Your worst fears are already here for some people. Check out www.reddit.com/r/nosurf. It's a subreddit for people dealing with internet addiction and how to beat it. If you search through it there are a lot of people going to extremes and still not able to break free.

Have you ever downloaded TikTok? Some people seem immune to it but the majority of people in my life who download it go through the same thing. They think the app is for kids at first so they are averse to it. Then they download it "just to try it" and they spend at least 3 hours on the first day. That number never goes down and it grips your mind. If you've never tried it then please stay away. I have already implemented blocks on my phone to make sure I never download it again.

Remember, not everyone has the same mental capacities. Some people are completely immune while others are completely helpless even if they are aware of the problem.

I think this is only going to get worse.