I don’t use social media. I don’t think anyone should. However, I do believe that people should be able to connect, but lacking authenticity does not help that. I think the best social experiences I’ve had are on political forums of all types. Rarely do I use a platform that is over-saturated by negativity.
My immediate reaction to social media in the early days was very positive. Although, I did find myself regretting it and my own actions, frequently. I use Reddit a lot now because the social aspect is on your own terms. When I want to discuss things, I go to a discussion board. When I want to learn from videos, I go to a place that hosts them. The internet is better when it’s a jungle, as opposed to a manicured orchard.
Something special about the early internet was finding truly amazing things in a heap of utter trash. Disgusting, and repugnant trash, but it was all worth it; the scarring, the sickening, the frustration and—the questions raised regarding the brutal nature of humanity; in general or in my time.
Okay, so I lied! I use SOME social media. I love Discord, I love YouTube, Google Scholar, which are all fine in principle and practice, but they also supply “the dark side of ADHD in gender-questioning men.” It supplies this in the form of doomscrolling, and constant awareness, and an impermeable haze one can find themselves lost within for hours upon hours.
It makes me sad sometimes when I’ve used the end of a busy day solely to scroll through news headlines and clicking only a few to read, because to my pathology it’s more valuable to react to half-truths worth overreacting about as opposed to whole truths simply worth considering with placidity.
Digital media is an unavoidable part of modern life, shaping how we communicate, learn, and interact. While it provides immense benefits, it also requires mindful engagement to avoid falling into unproductive habits. Recognizing the ways in which digital platforms manipulate attention is crucial for navigating the online world without being consumed by it.
As marketing strategies continue to evolve, it’s important to remain aware of how digital media influences not only consumer behavior but also personal well-being.