Common Ground: From Dialogue to Digital Battlefield?

Common Ground: From Dialogue to Digital Battlefield?

Author: Gareth King February 4, 2026 Duration: 39:39

The internet promised a place where people from diverse backgrounds could find connection and understanding. But has it instead become a deeply polarised medium where echo chambers and ideological extremism make meaningful connection harder than ever?

To help us understand what’s happening, we’re joined by Dr. Andres Reiljan, a political scientist at the European University Institute.

⁠https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=uBEitnwAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao⁠

⁠https://x.com/AReiljan⁠

https://www.facebook.com/andres.reiljan⁠

⁠https://bsky.app/profile/areiljan.bsky.social⁠

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

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In this episode, Andres joins us to explore the complexities of polarisation in the digital age. We discuss the concept of affective polarisation, the role of algorithms in amplifying divisive sentiments, and the psychological toll of constant exposure to conflict.

We also look at the importance of finding common ground and the potential for technology to help bridge divides, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by misinformation and emotional polarisation.

00:00 The Promise and Peril of the Internet

05:04 Understanding Affective Polarisation

09:59 The Role of Algorithms in Polarisation

15:07 Factual Belief Polarisation and Misinformation

19:56 The Impact of Polarisation on Society

25:04 Finding Common Ground in a Polarised World

29:54 The Psychological Toll of Polarisation

35:03 Using Technology to Combat Polarisation


It’s a question that nags at anyone who’s ever felt a pang of nostalgia or a wave of digital fatigue: are we better or worse off because of our constant connection? Hosted by Gareth King, Ruined By The Internet? digs into that uneasy feeling, moving beyond simple headlines to explore how our online world actively moulds society, culture, and the texture of daily life. This isn’t about reviewing apps or gadgets; it’s about treating the digital realm as the pervasive environment it has become. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with leading thinkers and researchers from around the world, dissecting the real evidence behind our shared anxieties and hopes. You’ll hear nuanced discussions that ask whether the casualties we often blame on technology are inevitable, or if we’re simply misdiagnosing deeper societal shifts. This podcast provides a space for considered reflection, offering listeners a clearer lens through which to view their own place in a world that is, for better or worse, thoroughly wired.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 26

Ruined By The Internet? - Uncovering the human cost of our digital world
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 48:22
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Duration: 47:46
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The Job Hunt: Built to Harvest Data, not People? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:33
It was once a very human-centric process. But for so many of us, has the internet transformed looking for work into an automated, opaque, and intensely competitive digital gauntlet?To help us unpack what’s going on, we’r…