Hank Green: It’s Going to Get Worse Before It Gets Better | Galaxy Brain

In this inaugural episode of Galaxy Brain, Charlie Warzel examines the state of the internet as it stands now in November 2025 with Hank Green, a true citizen of the internet—somebody who has made a living riding the algorithmic waves of the social web. Warzel and Green look back on a time when the internet felt small, more serendipitous, and inspiring, and try to tease apart what went wrong. Are people starting to leave TikTok? How exactly did the internet turn into a misery machine? What makes a great headline? Why is it easier now for some people to trust creators over institutions? Green helps make sense of the internet we live on and offers his reasons for why it might get worse before it gets better (but it could get better!). Subscribe to the “Galaxy Brain” newsletter: https://www.theatlantic.com/newslette... Subscribe to the “Galaxy Brain” podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Subscribe to the “Galaxy Brain” podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/542WHgd... Follow The Atlantic on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theatlantic... Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/Listener. #galaxybrain #charliewarzel #theatlantic #hankgreen #tech #internet