Social media is destroying our humanity

[crimsonaudio]

It feels like people today are more radicalized than in the past, largely because of social media.
But I wonder if that “radicalization” will mostly lead to heated online battles rather than something as extreme as a civil war.

In all honesty, I cannot recall the last time I had a negative interaction with someone in the real world. As much as foreign nationals (along with cosplayers here at home) may want civil war, I just don't think the actual hatred exists. I doubt any of the people who post themselves laughing at someone's death or rabidly insult another person online does the same in real life.

I think a LOT of the hatred we see is the internet allowing people to act out their deep angers and frustrations with little recourse. Weak people who vent via keyboard, saying things they would NEVER say in real life.

 

[Its On A Slab]

I can't believe I forgot about Reddit, but then again I don't consider it social media. I consider it cancer.

It does serve some purpose. For general things....if I want to hear other people's experiences.

For example, I am training for a marathon. I wanted to know more about certain marathon courses, other experiences. Or when I had issues with my Subaru Outback....I got good responses on how to fix a check engine light, etc.

I know it probably has a dark side, but I really don't spend any time in that.

 

[colbysullivan]

It does serve some purpose. For general things....if I want to hear other people's experiences.

For example, I am training for a marathon. I wanted to know more about certain marathon courses, other experiences. Or when I had issues with my Subaru Outback....I got good responses on how to fix a check engine light, etc.

I know it probably has a dark side, but I really don't spend any time in that.

I mean sure, but that's obviously not the part of Reddit we're talking about. I only still have FB to keep up with certain hobby groups and to message friends. The rest of it is a cesspool.

 

[colbysullivan]

Man….. last time I flew there was an empty seat next to me at the gate and a gen Z’er sat next to me. It was kind of amazing to watch her randomly scroll through 15 second TikTok’s for like 45 minutes. Has to be, I mean has to be terrible for brain development.

It's quite literally rotting their brains.

 

[Its On A Slab]

In all honesty, I cannot recall the last time I had a negative interaction with someone in the real world. As much as foreign nationals (along with cosplayers here at home) may want civil war, I just don't think the actual hatred exists. I doubt any of the people who post themselves laughing at someone's death or rabidly insult another person online does the same in real life.

I think a LOT of the hatred we see is the internet allowing people to act out their deep angers and frustrations with little recourse. Weak people who vent via keyboard, saying things they would NEVER say in real life.

You weren't at the gas station last week when I thought a guy was going to kill another driver. Loud, angry cursing, big truck bravado.

I kept watching and this was the source of the guy's red-faced anger: A guy had pulled into a handicapped spot adjacent to the tire inflation station. Why? Because the guy int he pickup was parked in the only other parking place near the inflator.

This is what can escalate into shootings. No lie. Kudos to the other guy. He pretty much ignored the whole thing. He was out of there in a few minutes and on his way..

 

[tusks_n_raider]

Man….. last time I flew there was an empty seat next to me at the gate and a gen Z’er sat next to me. It was kind of amazing to watch her randomly scroll through 15 second TikTok’s for like 45 minutes. Has to be, I mean has to be terrible for brain development.

Parents have let phones and tablets act as babysitters too and it’s why young adults now are so poorly adjusted.

I’ve experienced many instances of being in a public place and either kids are glued to devices on social media or their parents took the device away and they threw a hissy fit in public.

Social media and it’s negative effects will probably be an entire chapter of a history book one day.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Man….. last time I flew there was an empty seat next to me at the gate and a gen Z’er sat next to me. It was kind of amazing to watch her randomly scroll through 15 second TikTok’s for like 45 minutes. Has to be, I mean has to be terrible for brain development.

Mobile phone short video use negatively impacts attention functions: an EEG study

 

[colbysullivan]

Mobile phone short video use negatively impacts attention functions: an EEG study - PMC

The pervasive nature of short-form video platforms has seamlessly integrated into daily routines, yet it is important to recognize their potential adverse effects on both physical and mental health. Prior research has identified a detrimental impact ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Holy subdomains, Batman!

 

[Bodhisattva]

Other than here, I only post occasionally on FB. And it's become mainly to keep up with friends on the other side of the world and post pictures of international trips to do charity work. And maybe from that to encourage others to be more charitable.

 

[Its On A Slab]

I mean sure, but that's obviously not the part of Reddit we're talking about. I only still have FB to keep up with certain hobby groups and to message friends. The rest of it is a cesspool.

Same. I unfollow everyone on FB if they start posting political or religious stuff. If it weren't for my interest in really obscure/DIY/alternate tuning/time signature music, and a couple other interests, I'd probably delete my account. And I have also found people on FB that I thought were lost to me. Old friends from college, even my old college gf whom I thought had died (due to the way she was partying back in the day).

 

[Its On A Slab]

Mobile phone short video use negatively impacts attention functions: an EEG study

Test scores have dropped since the advent of cell phones/social media. One reason many districts are severely limiting them during school hours. But that still doesn't resolve the 24/7 scrolling on TikTok afterhours.

 

[92tide]

Same. I unfollow everyone on FB if they start posting political or religious stuff. If it weren't for my interest in really obscure/DIY/alternate tuning/time signature music, and a couple other interests, I'd probably delete my account. And I have also found people on FB that I thought were lost to me. Old friends from college, even my old college gf whom I thought had died (due to the way she was partying back in the day).

beware those drop C# tuning forums /s

 

[Bodhisattva]

Same. I unfollow everyone on FB if they start posting political or religious stuff. If it weren't for my interest in really obscure/DIY/alternate tuning/time signature music, and a couple other interests, I'd probably delete my account. And I have also found people on FB that I thought were lost to me. Old friends from college, even my old college gf whom I thought had died (due to the way she was partying back in the day).

I've recently had to unfollow a slew of people. Mostly from the left, but also from the right, I would have my feed filled up with forwarded left/right rants about assorted nonsense. Not even their original thoughts. I had a couple of people ask me why I deleted them, and I simply said I wasn't interested in sorting through this 24/7. And, be either dumb or lazy, don't be both!

 

[crimsonaudio]

Same. I unfollow everyone on FB if they start posting political or religious stuff. If it weren't for my interest in really obscure/DIY/alternate tuning/time signature music, and a couple other interests, I'd probably delete my account. And I have also found people on FB that I thought were lost to me. Old friends from college, even my old college gf whom I thought had died (due to the way she was partying back in the day).

When you're aware of the algorithms and have the discipline to train them to work for you rather than against you, social media is quite good, imo.

Few people seem to have the understanding (or discipline) to not cave into the algorithm's feed / suggestions and here we are.

 

[92tide]

Test scores have dropped since the advent of cell phones/social media. One reason many districts are severely limiting them during school hours. But that still doesn't resolve the 24/7 scrolling on TikTok afterhours.

if it’s after hours, how can it be 24/7 - Reddit/wellackshually

 

[colbysullivan]

When you're aware of the algorithms and have the discipline to train them to work for you rather than against you, social media is quite good, imo.

That's what the AI overlords want you to think!

 

[Its On A Slab]

if it’s after hours, how can it be 24/7 - Reddit/wellackshually

My bad in posting too fast. lol

 

[colbysullivan]

if it’s after hours, how can it be 24/7 - Reddit/wellackshually

lol gottem

 

[CrimsonJazz]

It does serve some purpose. For general things....if I want to hear other people's experiences.

For example, I am training for a marathon. I wanted to know more about certain marathon courses, other experiences. Or when I had issues with my Subaru Outback....I got good responses on how to fix a check engine light, etc.

I know it probably has a dark side, but I really don't spend any time in that.

This has been my experience as well. There are a lot of helpful people there that really can help you with practically anything. I just keep my inquiries limited and to the point. I don't browse at all because I've seen the dark side of it and once was enough.

 

[Its On A Slab]

Parents have let phones and tablets act as babysitters too and it’s why young adults now are so poorly adjusted.

I’ve experienced many instances of being in a public place and either kids are glued to devices on social media or their parents took the device away and they threw a hissy fit in public.

Social media and it’s negative effects will probably be an entire chapter of a history book one day.

A couple years ago, the 19-14-12 year olds in the house got their smart phones taken away due to talking back, etc. We told them we'd give them back in a week.

Within hours, it was like watching a heroin addict going thru withdrawals.