Communication Quote by Maria Ressa
““Facebook didn’t only provide a platform for those propagandists’ speech or even only enable them; in fact, it gave them preferential treatment because anger is the contagious currency of Facebook’s current machine. Only anger, outrage, and fear lead to greater numbers of people using Facebook more times a day. Violence has made Facebook rich.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Maria Ressa on Facebook’s Business Model, 2023
The platform amplifies anger, outrage, and fear because those emotions drive higher user engagement and ad revenue, rewarding sensational content over constructive discourse.
In simple terms: Anger boosts Facebook usage and profit.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and limit emotionally charged content.
Themes
media
ethics
business models
emotion
technology
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- news consumption
- social media management
- policy making
- personal usage habits
Key Concepts
attention economy
viral dynamics
monetization
Questions to Reflect On
- How does emotional content shape your news feed?
- What alternatives could reward constructive dialogue?
A Different Perspective
Emphasis on anger may overlook other motivations for engagement.
