I’m writing this post because I’m concerned about the world. It’s become a dark place in some respects. I want to talk specifically about social media and the way it can manipulate the way we think.
As a blogger, I love social media for many reasons. It helps me promote my business, makes me money, and most importantly, connects me with friends both old and new. The concept of it is genius but there is also a grim and dark side.
Social media is addicting and that’s what Silicon Valley wants
Remember when we all got along without a phone constantly in our hands? If we got stuck on the highway, we got out of our car and walked to the nearest call box. When I was a teen, my family and I went on a road trip from California to Colorado. On our way back, our rented RV broke down in the Mojave Desert. It was 120 degrees in the shade that day. My dad got out and walked 5 miles in the heat to find a callbox. Can you imagine doing that now?
Addictions cause misunderstandings
Much of the content that we see in our social media feeds has been tearing families, relationships, business connections, and even countries apart. Well-meaning people who are typically calm are accusing those who don’t agree with them of being crazy, mixed up, immoral, or worse. This isn’t a surprise, though. The constant stream of misinformation, distorted facts, and confusion has been streaming under our noses for at least a decade and probably longer.
Whether it’s Russia, China, or some crazy geek in a basement, we are being fed mind-bending candy that we happily gobble up because it’s addictive. If you thought watching the TV series Dallas gave you a fix back in the late 70s, what we’re experiencing now is heroin mixed with ecstasy and we can’t get enough.
Watch this documentary
I was at a friend’s house and we watched a documentary on Netflix called “The Social Dilemma.” It’s brilliantly produced and takes you deep into the realm of how social media platforms are manipulating our thoughts mainly to make a buck.
Social media platforms collect data on us. Just ask Edward Snowdon. If you even think about a product, all of a sudden you’ll see an ad for it when you browse online. It’s not unlike the game we used to play on car trips as kids. When your parents told you to look for a yellow VW, all of a sudden, they appeared everywhere.
The facts ma’am, just the facts
The Social Dilemma doesn’t take sides politically. You can be red, blue, purple, or chartreuse and it will be relevant for you. The plot focuses on a family whose members are addicted to their smartphones. They each receive messaging programmed in response to their social media engagement, interests, and views. Once they find their “tribe,” ads, memes, and select posts begin appearing in their feed.
I feel it’s important that as many people as possible watch the film to be aware of what to look out for. If you aren’t able to access it because you aren’t streaming Netflix, find a friend who has it and watch it together.
I also recommend you watch the YouTube video below featuring comic actor Sacha Baron Cohen. He’s a wacky guy on film, but I’ve seen him speak in person, and he’s highly intelligent. He doesn’t take sides either but offers timely insight on how to work together with media giants to effect change before we find our world in a potentially deadly or out-of-control situation.
Being aware of how we are being influenced doesn’t mean you have to swear off social media for good and move into a yurt in the forest. Social media still offers plenty of value to keep us connected. However, we all need to open our eyes and take steps to make the online world a much more positive experience for everyone.
Let’s continue to share birthday cheers, and pictures of our kids and pets, philosophize, learn new things, promote our businesses, and keep in touch on social media. But, let’s do it mindfully and carefully.
I agree about social media and trying to keep it under control. Facebook especially is rife with political battles. My husband gets pulled into them more than I do. Maybe it’s an outlet for anger with the safety of being behind your desk. Still, there’s a lot of disinformation and that’s troubling.
That’s so true Laurie. Facebook is the platform we have to be most mindful of because its the platform most average people use to stay connected. That’s why it is targeted by misinformation campaigns.
You’re absolutely right! If you don’t control it, it controls you. Heading over to watch the film…
I think the examples you’ve shared are the best way to get through to the most people, keeping personal feelings and politics out of making your case is the only way to be heard these days.
I agree, Karen. Both the documentary and Sacha’s video are not biased either way. They simply point out the facts of how information is being fed to us.
I never got into Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter or Myspace and I’m happier for it. It sucks you in and eats your life. I hear many of the Iphone makers in the tech industry don’t let their kids have Iphones as it gets em addicted and into watching violent X web videos. Also I never really had a cellphone outside of a few years in the 00s and never needed one. If I’m at home: I have a land line. If I’m out; I’m doing something and don’t need to be bothered. These thing just devolve us and make us dependent on them. Remember that Stallone movie Demolition Man where everyone is a wiener in the future and can’t function without their awful future stuff? That’s us today.. Plus the companies track you on them and other groups listen in on your conversations with malware. Look at how TickTock was used by the Commies to register our key presses and get our data. There are more reasons to not have a cellphone than to have one.
Well, I’d hate for everyone to start turning into wieners, Chris. I believe social media has many benefits for society but we have to be aware of the dark side of it and take steps to make sure not only our privacy is protected but also vet out propaganda that can have a detrimental effect on the world at large. Thanks for your insights.