Mina Kimes explains why networks push provocative takes that keep sports fans angry and fuel social media outrage(Getty)
So there is an actual incentive, sometimes financial, for people to be angrier than even 5 to 7 years ago,” Mina Kimes said on South Beach Sessions. A Cambridge-led study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2021 examined more than 2.7 million Facebook and Twitter posts from US media outlets and members of Congress.
Platforms reward content that provokes strong reactions, giving creators a financial reason to stir up arguments rather than have meaningful discussions, according to the NFL analyst. Lawrence said he was surprised by the lack of consequences for people who speak confidently about subjects they do not understand. ESPN analyst Mina Kimes has a blunt explanation for why social media is full of angry opinions and controversial takes. “Not just the madder the better; the more likely the more provocative you are, the more of a gotcha, the more angry, the more political, the more likely it is to go crazy. He also questioned why someone with little knowledge could challenge an expert who had spent years studying the same subject without facing any real consequences. There is also research behind these concerns. It found that posts targeting political opponents received roughly twice as many shares or retweets as posts supporting their own political side.
In Kimes’ case, the issue has a direct connection to sports media. NFL debates often revolve around quarterback rankings, coaching decisions, player performances and controversial team moves. Strong opinions are part of sports coverage, but the incentive to provoke can turn those discussions into personal attacks.