Obama: Drift Toward Extremism 'Not Inevitable'

Former U.S. President Barack Obama stated that while technology and social media can be powerful tools for mobilization, a drift toward extremism is "not inevitable." Speaking to an audience of more than 12,000 people, Obama acknowledged that the same platforms that can unite people for democracy or human rights can also be exploited by hate groups.

"It turns out that the reptilian side of our brain really gets attracted to anger, fear, resentment and the sense that someone is out to get you," Obama said, explaining how anger and fear are prevalent on much of today's social media. He drew a parallel to the post-World War II era in the United States and Europe, where governments established rules to counter propaganda and misinformation, particularly in the wake of the rise of figures like Hitler. "We have not chosen to do that" in the current era, he observed.

Obama addressed the concept of hope, reaffirming a quote he previously cited about the "long arm of the moral universe" ultimately bending toward justice. He described hope as an active, "almost theological" choice that individuals must make about how they approach their finite time on Earth. He believes that a fundamental belief in the possibility of change is healthier and that, while individual actions don't always yield immediate results, "over time things do get better."

He also noted a cyclical pattern in human history where lessons learned from the past are forgotten. This can lead to a desensitization to hateful rhetoric from public figures, where language that targets immigrants, Jewish people, Black individuals, or the LGBTQ+ community might be dismissed as mere talk or humor. Obama cautioned that forgetting the consequences of such rhetoric can lead to reduced tolerance.

Despite the significant challenges facing the world, Obama expressed optimism, stating, "we can be better" and that striving to improve the world is still a worthwhile endeavor. He was speaking in Glasgow, having previously addressed audiences in Belfast and with an upcoming appearance in Manchester.