General consensus is that social media is bad. Not just in this thread, but everywhere.
Most people still use it to some degree.
Ive never heard anyone say “i love using social media” or talk about it positively like they might say they enjoy cooking/football/yoga/music etc
I even see posts on social media about how its not good.
People keep using it though.
Its weird and worrying.
When I emigrated 10 years ago, it obv meant no more parties, park meet-ups, pub quizzes with old mates, so social media inevitably filled some of the void even though it’s never the same. Over time, I’ve lost the closeness I had with some people and when you find out about someone’s Mum passing by stumbling across the news on an impersonal app rather than hearing directly that is really sad imo. I can’t bin it though, because when you live in the arse of nowhere, it is a last lifeline to your roots and the communities that shaped your life.
As humans we instinctively crave trust, familiarity and intimacy and I’m not sure that can ever be found virtually, but provided SM is used intelligently (eg as an events resource) and not as a substitute for reality, then you can mitigate the downsides. The stuff about algorithms doesn’t bother me too much because I stick firmly to accounts I follow. And when somebody does post something interesting eg that post about ‘Do it Now’ yesterday, it can still bond people across the world - which almost makes it all worthwhile
I found myself in last few months or longer constantly checking my phone for updates on various websites inc this one and I’m not even on SM. This week I’ve deleted Safari from my iPhone to stop myself and so far it is working. I’m hoping my attention span increases as a result as it is shot at mo. I’m thinking nothing is so important on an iPhone that it can’t wait until I open my laptop. Although I’m posting this when I should be working so…
I was thinking about it in the shower the other day. So much of my SM interactions have moved to private forums (well, this one really), WhatsApp group chats, Discord, etc. Instagram is sort of a front door that you use as a diary, for promotion, and to find out about events.
I’ve discovered a lot of good music through yours and Balearic Mike’s posts, is one the things I do miss but now rely on this forum and Dr Rob!
Paused for too long on a video of someone having their neck cracked…thanks algorithm.
Keep an eye out for ‘The Audacity’ which is a darkly comic take on Tech bros and Silicon Valley grappling with the basic choice of using all this power and money for good or for evil. (You can probably guess which is chosen). Its very well done and also features Amandaland’s Lucy Speed playing California Amanda.
deleting Apps off phone is a good idea I recommend as means I wait until at my laptop/ chromebook
Problem is is such a broad thing - Is a group WhatsApp thread with friends Social Media?
Carrying a book when on public transport or to the pub if not 100% meeting people ( or theyre late) is a good subsitiute
I dont like the 100% negative as read so much good stuff about music / things you would have never done before
I cant delete Facebook account as Id lose the 2 Viz threads that fans post the old strips to
Yes, I agree, but I think the issue for me is there is too much of that type of information plus on football/clobber/books/comedy etc. out there that interests me (on the internet not SM which I am already off) plus I had constant access to it thru Safari. I really don’t think I can process it all properly (e.g., I have over 1k tracks on my Bandcamp wish-list to listen to and decide on). I am concerned about the effect it is having on my attention and brain. Apps are not my issue…yet. I have started to read novels again this week after a break of doing so and yes will carry one in my bag when out now, good idea. Love Viz too but not enough to go back yet!
I can see more of these kind of devices coming onto the market alongside dumbphones.
Yes, agreed, see also:
I’m about 2 years into having no social media at all (instagram mainly, deleted Facebook about 15 years ago and was never arsed with twitter or ticktok or any of that), unless you count forums, are they classed as social media? I’m lucky as I don’t need it for work at all, but there are times when I do feel well out of the loop and do miss some old friends from years ago that I have no way of contacting anymore. Then 5 minutes talking to mates who still regularly use instagram just reinforces the reasons for fucking it off. Big tech nonces trying to sell your attention to other fucking wrong’uns. Bin it all off, you’ll not regret it lads
Binned Instagram in Feb and despite thinking I would really miss the music content, it’s been a really positive thing to do. I don’t miss it at all.
And like some others have already said, I’ve started reading again too
Christ. I’ve just left the Boards of Canada Facebook group. The vitriol coming from grown men (mostly) because opinions don’t align re: the new album was horrendous. Literally sucking the joy out of it all.
Similarly, I was watching Anthony Fantano’s review of Inferno. He gave it a 6, and wasn’t particularly enamoured with it. The comments were just awful.
“Don’t ever come to Kazakhstan”. I’m sensing this wasn’t a joke.
A reminder that a significant number of men are fucking weird.
I was once threatened in a similar way by a swiss drummer on a forum for telling him the exact name of the veneer on a german drum set from the 1970’s was not exactly the most important information in the world to get right.
People are weird.
I dared to say I thought it was pretty average in a couple of places and the absolute rage storm it created was something else. Hell hath no fury like a BOC fan spurned or something
'kin neck beards
It’s wild isn’t it?
