A concerning pattern emerges when product leaders deflect responsibility by blaming users, rather than acknowledging that people naturally respond to the incentive structures embedded in their design decisions.

Let's be clear: the algorithm isn't just a feature—it IS the product itself.

When a platform's algorithm predominantly surfaces rage-inducing content, sensationalism, and inflammatory material, that's not a bug or unintended consequence. That's the product functioning exactly as designed. The engagement metrics speak volumes. If most of what users encounter is outrage-baiting and divisive takes, then the platform has fundamentally become a rage-optimization engine.

The real question isn't why users engage with inflammatory content. The real question is: why did the product team engineer a system that makes such engagement the path of least resistance?

That's on the builders, not the audience.