Neither phones, nor email, not even usenet had this impact. Social media did.

The problem is not with the technology but those that control it. (Some would probably say, the fact that any one actor controls it in the first place.)

Our only means of communication in modern society are a few advertising platforms in hands of even fewer owners, and the engineers hired to run it are busy engagementmaxxing.

I'm blaming the current social media landscape, which amplifies ideas based on the engagement they create, which has an unintended consequence of amplifying exciting controversial falsehoods over long-held boring truths. We have given the largest megaphones to the biggest village idiots.