Do You Like or Hate Social Media?

Mostly frustrating, honestly. I can't stand Twitter, whenever I use Insta I immediately swap to the Friends feed because I hate the For You pages. I don't even touch TikTok. BlueSky, same thing, I curate my feeds very intentionally to just give me what I want to see.

I hate how streaming service became this too, which is why I mostly own all my own music locally, and use iPods/Jellyfin for listening. I DO use Apple Music sometimes because that's the only time I've found an algorithm actually gives me interesting new music that is sonically similar to what I already like. But mostly I find new music through friends directly.

There's a saying I'm sure a lot of people are familiar with, it goes: "if the product is free, you are the product". Obviously this isn't always the case, but I apply that thought to most mainstream social media: Instagram, Twitter, FaceBook, Reddit, etc. 

There is a lot of potential 'good' to come out of social media: staying connected with friends, finding communities for hobbies or interests, and staying on top of contemporary information, etc

Now let's consider the 'bad': perpetuates poor image of oneself through comparison, data mining, exploitation of attention, misinformation, cyberbullying, dramatization, gore/adult content, excessive advertising, gossip, distraction from real life, etc

Don't get me wrong -- social media has the potential to be good. It has the potential to actually bring people together, that's why it's social.

However, since everything must be monetized, that is how these platforms see your account: potential money. Money not through actual transactions, but through your attention. Get the individual to be hooked on the app for as long as possible so we can make more money.

A whistleblower discovered recently that Facebook's algorithm was identifying accounts of young girls who had deleted selfies -- the algorithm then started advertising beauty products because it assumes the girl is self conscious. That is fucking evil.

These platforms and companies are predatory. If they don't serve you, don't serve them.

Now obviously you can apply that idea to anything, even SpaceHey. SpaceHey is free, and I'm assuming they get money from ads, donations, or merchandise. That is fine because they need money to keep the site running. The difference is though I'm not being blasted in the face with ads nor am I being shown three second clips of a Vietnamese dude getting his head cut off or a fatal car crash. I'm not being shown softcore p*rnography every 30 seconds. SpaceHey encompasses a social media site that knows how to balance profit and human hospitality. We need more of that. (Now sure, SpaceHey may not be that secure and I'm sure my data is being sold somehow)

Furthermore social media on the phone is meant to be addictive. I notice people tend to be plugged in outside and in public so often, it's hard to even talk to strangers for long. It's not their fault -- social media was built to keep you plugged in.

But for those that care anyway, we need to reinforce a society in which we are more present, where we unplug, and socialize in real life. That may mean ditching modern social media.

Again, Instagram, FaceBook, have the potential to be really good. They just went the wrong way.

I think it can be a great tool, but most people don't use it as just a tool. Like I love Instagram to find local events and shops, but I also know to ignore 90% of what goes on there. It can connect people, but a lot of people don't want connection and that's when ragebait and hate comments and things like that ruin social media. Not to even mention the annoying bots that follow you every. single. time. you make a post. 

Totally agree, For You pages feel more like For Them pages  

 I think it’s awesome you keep your music local though, feels like you’ve got a real collection.

@Mei

Wow, I really like how you explained that 👌

You’re right, it feels like most platforms are designed to keep us hooked instead of helping us. That Facebook example is seriously disturbing…

 I agree, being more present in real life is way healthier.

@Colby

Yes, I know and I understand

 I’m single, and I like making posts. I’m curious about life on the internet and life without the internet.

 If anyone wants to answer my questions or comment, that’s fine, but I’m not forcing anyone. It’s up to them if they want to write or not.

@Bunny