For certain topics I find reddit quite good. Yes, there's the hive mind and sub-groups living in their bubbles, but extreme polarization is an emotional issue with individuals(think vegan-harcore feminist-sjw-atheist activist- that thinks everybody not sharing their exact beliefs is a subhuman scum); it always existed, the internet just makes it easier for these individuals to meet. I think I read something from

Alternate perspective (not sure if I agree, just it’s possible) - humans were already polarized and split into sub groups. Now though it is far more apparent because people butt into each other all the time on the internet.

been on forums and modding actively right now.

I've seen polarization appear where none used to be before.

My view is that the web often results in a worst case scenario.

1) Text like books, are permanent - once written, you can always revisit them and they don't get erased

2) Voice is very good for real time expression of emotions you feel. But its never permanent, or easy to revisit. That momentary flash of emotion was never bottled and dissipated.

The net combines the worst of it.

Have an angry thread? You get triggered and write an angry response - and then go away.

Meanwhile, people keep coming to the thread, and it feels like an ongoing conversation - and now they start getting triggered - over and over again.

Its like having people exposed to an anger stimulus, randomly and at mass scale.

So its not just more apparent: It's not just tribe/group discovery - its straight up tribe/splitting and creation.