If it's free, you really are the product

Likely agreeing on the "real" issues, yes. My comment was only about the expression. Very minor disagreement compared to the actual issues discussed but I think it's a very good expression, especially about (a)social media and information/propaganda in general. Most of the world population now believes they're getting "information" when we are being literally drugged with dopamine, brainwashed and distracted from real issues, all at the same time. One of the most potent weapons ever invented. Propaganda has existed since forever but this last stage is on another level. Apparently this even affects fertility and population size! https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/opinion/dating-marriag...

I don't think there is any better catchphrase to describe this problem. You do need something very short because you're going against dopamine shots and Tiktok attention times, that is: seconds-long attention times.

Of course paying for information (or anything) does not automagically make it neutral and great, far from it, funding is only the first requirement. But the expression does not say otherwise.