The rise of antisocial media
This story from the New York Magazine caught my eye. It's rather short and sweet considering everything you could write on the topic, but it is interesting.
Social media started as a way to connect with people and see what they thought or what they were doing with their lives. It has evolved into an algorithm-controlled content-feeding machine that has little or nothing to do with people we actually know.
I already talked about cultivating micro networks in last week's summary post. It is important to actually connect with human beings, even ones you've never met, and have a sense of community. Bluesky actually helps with that, since it isn't algorithm-based and lets you see everything a person posts.
Of course, you're not going to become close friends with a brand account or a famous person like Mark Hamill on Bluesky, but it is a platform filled with real people. It captures a happy medium between personal relationships, unsocialized content, and information that social media was originally built for.
An addiction machine
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others like it exist solely to optimize and personalize a video feed to the point that it becomes irresistible to your brain. They are the methamphetamine of social networks, and I believe there is no safe way to consume them.
The content made by people for Reels and TikTok is fine and entertaining when taken in small doses, which is why I support apps like Skylight. The problem is that these platforms use this content to suck people in and abuse their brains to the point that they reach a terrible level of addiction.
No one is immune. There might even be a "right" way to interact with these platforms, but I can guarantee you that very few, if any, are actually doing that.
What's worse – the addiction is clear. We've never been in such a position that people wouldn't readily abandon something that was clearly bad for them or their community. X has a feature that enthusiastically generates CSAM, and it joins Meta in allowing hate speech and misinformation thanks to their uncaring owners.
Yet, people come up with every excuse to stay. Just like when you tell an addict that they need to stop using the drug, you're met with anger, excuses, or promises they can stop whenever they want – they're aware of the problems and risk, but they're in control.
That's not how addiction works.
Intention matters
Whether you choose to use these platforms or not, it is important to have some level of awareness and self-control. If, for some reason, you're okay with spending two hours straight of mindlessly scrolling TikTok and that was your goal when you sat down, then fine. At least you're owning up to it.
However, if you find yourself with your phone in your hand tapping around for the next second of entertainment or validation every time there's a lull, maybe take a breath. I'm not telling you to delete these addictive platforms (though you probably should), I'm telling you to have some intentionality. Be aware of what you're doing and what you want.
I'll also mention the idea of needing business accounts. I'll give you that, especially for Meta platforms or even TikTok (for now), but you absolutely don't need any presence on X.
That said, don't let those platforms be where your business lives. Build a website that you own and promote it using those platforms. Don't make those platforms your business, or you're going to be dependent on their generosity to continue to exist.
And for goodness sake, learn to be bored again. Sit with your thoughts, have a conversation, or observe the world around you. You don't have to scroll to be happy.