You’ve probably heard of the trolley problem thought experiment.
If not, try these fun experiments to get the gist.
It occurred to me that we’re increasingly facing real-world trolley problems—unwinnable choices where harm is inevitable.
But here’s the twist: in many modern dilemmas, we’re both the switch operator and the person strapped to the tracks.
Let me give you a few examples, and then let’s talk about how to escape the problem entirely.
Should you quit a social network?
You decide to stay. You keep all the benefits—connections, visibility, and the ability to reach a massive audience. You continue to promote your business, share messages of love, hope, and tolerance, and engage in important conversations.
But tied to the tracks are the consequences of supporting platforms that profit from harm.
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp have played a direct role in spreading misinformation and fueling radicalization. They have amplified right-wing conspiracy theories, shut down fact-checking, and tailored their algorithms to suppress left-leaning voices. Meanwhile, literal Nazis have found a comfortable space to recruit and spread hate, while marginalized communities—particularly trans people, Black people, and women—face rampant harassment with little to no platform intervention.
These platforms profit from engagement, and outrage is the most profitable kind. Every comment, like, share, and ad dollar you contribute strengthens an ecosystem designed to reward lies and suppress truth.
You decide to leave. You refuse to contribute to a platform that enriches billionaires who amplify hate and silence marginalized voices.