One thing happens that angers a group of people and a wave of discontent slowly builds; people stating their intention to leave Facebook. Then, articles start appearing in news feeds, and fluff stories on the local TV news, about a new social media site.

A month or two later something else happens that pisses off a different group of people, but this time the wave is talking about leaving Twitter. Then, stories of a different “New” social media site pop up in news feeds and on TV programs.

Just like how Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC all have their own political identity, people are being corralled into social media sites that they identify with politically. These stations and sites use different language – words, emotion, and imagery – but they all reinforce the same narrative…
especially where it counts.

Anger and discontent is allowed, even encouraged, but only if it is directed at the people who watch those other TV channels, or use those other social media sites. Like fans of one sports team deriding the fans of the opposing team. Never taking the time to discover that they all are exactly alike.

The public is being divided and penned up.

The ruling class truly want the public to enjoy freedom of speech, they know maintaining their authority depends on it, but only if the public is separated into smaller, homogeneous, and hermetically sealed receptacles.

Just like how the police set up small, separated “Free Speech” zones far away from contested events. It prevents the uncontrolled, viral spread of information and emotion that is ever so dangerous to the establishment.