TED: Let's design social media that drives real change | Wael Ghonim

The speaker reflects on the role of social media in the Egyptian revolution, highlighting its potential and pitfalls. Initially, social media united people for change, but later contributed to societal polarization. The speaker shares personal experiences, including the creation of a pivotal Facebook page and subsequent kidnapping. They identify five critical challenges of social media, such as echo chambers and misinformation, and propose solutions to promote civility and thoughtful engagement. The talk concludes with a call to rethink social media to liberate society.

How did the author feel about the state of polarization in society after the revolution?

What was the author's perspective on the relationship between technology and human behavior?

In what ways did the author suggest social media experiences could be redesigned?

What final message did the author convey about the Internet and society?