Q1: APSC Prelims 2025 GS-II: Previous Year Question with Answer

Read the following passage carefully and answer Question Nos. 1 and 2 : The paradox of the modern Internet is that while it connects us to the globe, it often creates a 'digital mirror' rather than a window. Algorithms, designed to maximize engagement, feed us content that mirrors our existing beliefs, preferences, and biases. This creates an echo chamber where our worldviews are constantly reinforced but rarely challenged. Intellectual growth requires friction—the uncomfortable rub of a dissenting opinion—yet the digital landscape is being smoothed out to ensure user comfort. When we lose the ability to navigate disagreement, our collective communication skills atrophy, leaving us ill-equipped for the messy, uncurated realities of face-to-face debate. According to the author, why is 'friction' essential for intellectual development?