We quickly learn that the ability to create a cleverly constructed hashtag that condenses an entire argument into a lexical punch in the face is more greatly rewarded than a lengthy but carefully nuanced claim that underscores the complexity of an issue. With everyone’s utterances publicly tagged with status-revealing metrics, our desires for positive reinforcement and a sense of belonging compel us to seek out more “likes” as a way to establish our bona fides on the digital playground.
