In 2000 Steve Krug wrote a book for web designers called "Don't Make Me Think".
With an intent to make the web easier to use, designers used the book's recommendations to help users think less, removing the need for anything resembling rumination over different options.
This fostered a behavior of, you guessed it, not thinking.
And here we are.
Wow did that backfire.
Note that I don't place blame the book. It's a fun and easy read. It was just a little too successful.
On a more serious note, a book that I believe truly contributed to the digital messes of today is Hooked, by Nir Eyal.
https://axbom.com/nir-eyal-habit-danger/