Anyone else convicted — nay, burdened — by the new Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma? Like, of course I already knew social media was destroying us, meticulously advertising to us, finding ways to keep us on their apps longer, more regularly, disconnecting us from the world and the actual relationships around us, and on and on.
But my goodness. This social media thing is so much bigger than any one of us scrolling in bed. That social media is catering not only ads but also opinions and news into our feeds, creating these bubbles from which we never pop, never escape, never want to?
It’s no wonder our politics is the most divided it’s ever been.
One side thinks the other is insane and will destroy America as we know it, and so does the other, and of course they think that — their social media bubble doesn’t tell them another narrative.
Or if, by chance, one side comes across an opposing viewpoint in their feed, facts or no facts, social media has taught us to block or attack: there are no other options but to silence the other person with the mute mutton or verbally massacre them for all to see.
Because if you ever stop to listen to the other side, you begin to humanize the other side — the other human — and then there’s a good chance you’ll start to see things from their side.
Maybe your listening won’t completely change your mind on something.
But also maybe it will. Maybe you will change your opinion or belief in something, and goodness, what a horrific, slippery slope that is. Better stay in the bubble where it’s safe.
The Social Dilemma has some cheesy, dramatic elements to it, sure. A little overkill at times. But I do recommend everyone see the film. After watching it, I don’t necessarily want to delete all my social media accounts, as I do view social media as part of my “job,” so to speak.
However, I do significantly want to change my approach to social media: how much I use it, when I use it, etc. Especially in relation to my “real-life” relationships without screens attached.
Like, is it really healthy to spend more time in my Twitter bubble than breaking out of it with flesh-and-blood humans in a room with walls somewhere?
There’s no question social media has done the universe a world of good, connecting long-lost friends (and, I’m sure, lovers). I have some of my best friendships thanks to social media. I can also keep my loved ones updated on things like my autoimmune disease and my travels alike thanks to social media.
But social media is also a monster. If there was any denying it before, there’s no denying it now. The documentary featured many former employees of all the biggest social media giants giving their stories: stories from inside the monster’s belly. The monster they helped create.
And I guess we’re all kinda creating this monster together, aren’t we?
One of the crazier quotes from the film:
If you’re not paying for the product, then you’re the product.
Oof.
We’ve all helped create the monster, but I think we’re also kinda sorta hoping this monster naturally reforms itself in the years to come? Becomes a nice monster like Casper or Barney?
Nobody really had a clear answer how that happens, though. After all these years online, we’ve all become so reliant on this beast we keep feeding, the beast that keeps growing.
It blows my mind that little humans are walking around who only know a world with social media in it. The very center of it. It’s how they’ve always known to communicate. Maybe not solely. But significantly.
They don’t know a time of flesh-and-blood relationships without a screen like I do, which is wild.
Goodness, I can’t imagine being a teenager today in this age of social media. Or being a teen parent, for that matter, monitoring and navigating this new norm for their kids. How much social media is too much for your kid? Especially when all their friends have it, use it, rely on it daily?
Young and old, what does healthy connection look like in this social media age?
It’s tragically ironic for social media to have produced so much disconnect and loneliness in the world today.
I mean, I’m sure many people are using social media in perfectly healthy and appropriate ways. So, I’ll just speak for myself.
Social media has produced so much disconnect and loneliness in my life today.
How I want — need — that to change.
