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I used to fear being a nobody, then I left social media

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Re: I used to fear being a nobody, then I left social media

#4
I used to excessively post on Facebook. I started to worry that it was unhealthy- why do I need the constant validation from strangers? What is wrong with me psychologically that I crave that more than my own privacy? So I quit last year and I've felt good about that choice.

Now I have 17000 HN points and I'm starting to feel like I gave up meth and replaced it with cocaine. Maybe better, but still not good.

Going to stop posting here now too. Thanks everyone for the good times.

Re: I used to fear being a nobody, then I left social media

#5
I feel like social media and dating apps hurt one's self image. Even for individuals that have a serious following, there doesn't seem to be enough validation from peers/followers to satiate their drive for happiness. I'm curious to see how social media continues to mold society in the decades to come where we can delineate what the long term effects of its use are.

Re: I used to fear being a nobody, then I left social media

#6
Being the person who shouts loudest "I am somebody" on social media does not make you somebody worth listening to. This narcissism is the key problem of social media. Oddly enough, social media made it's big entrance via movie stars - I could not possibly be any less surprised at this.

It would befit social media to rate someone with importance not according to a check or star but according to actual real world accomplishment. I realize that creates a natural bias against the underachieved, but without such weights, anyone can say anything about anything no matter what the education or perspective, and have it essentially equivalent to a subject matter in the field, at least until further examination.

Re: I used to fear being a nobody, then I left social media

#8
post #2

Facebook (et al.) has done an incredible job (for better or worse) at changing the way people in society interact with and perceive others. It really is staggering when you think about it,.

One giant learning experience. We're adapting. It's kinda gross, but hopefully we'll all come out the better for it.

Re: I used to fear being a nobody, then I left social media

#9
post #4

I used to excessively post on Facebook. I started to worry that it was unhealthy- why do I need the constant validation from strangers? What is wrong with me psychologically that I crave that more than my own privacy? So I quit last year and I've felt good about that choice. Now I have 17000 HN points and I'm starting to feel like I gave up meth and replaced it with cocaine. Maybe better, but still not good. Going to…

Just try the noprocrast options in your profile. I have it set so I can basically browse for a bit in the AM, maybe do a comment and then I am locked out until the evening.

It's a useful feature for those of us working on discipline + distractibility issues.

Re: I used to fear being a nobody, then I left social media

#10

“My wanting to share every waking thought became eclipsed by a desire for an increasingly rare commodity — a private life.” She forgot the part when she wrote a New York Times piece about her life.

She also hosts a weekly podcast.

Also, I must be using social media wrong. I use it mainly to talk to and send pictures to my grandma, look at videos of baby animals, and find out about concerts and shows in my area.

It has had a highly net-positive impact on my life, especially the puppy and kitten videos.

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