Social media implosion

[George K]

@doctor-phibes said in Social media implosion:

Am I the only person who basically uses Facebook for keeping in touch with my friends and family?

It's great for that. All the politics is fucking dreadful.

Exactly.

Ever since I've been on FB, I have posted exactly one, yes, ONE thing remotely politically based. It was to condemn the assault on the Capitol last week.

I have deleted that post.

[xenon]

I guess my point is - specific messaging apps seem decent enough to stay in touch with people you know.

You miss out on "long-lost friend" type connections. But I'm more than happy to give that up if it means these platforms don't have the political clout they do.

[George K]

@xenon said in Social media implosion:

You miss out on "long-lost friend" type connections.

They're "long-lost" for a reason, presumably.

Moving.
Former co-workers.
Childhood sweethearts.

We did fine without contacting them for decades. I wouldn't miss it if it were gone.

TNCR, FTW!

[xenon]

My mom is a perfect example of social media's political influence.

Growing up I can't remember a single political conversation she had with my dad. Would essentially ask who she should vote for every election.

Now - ever since she's learned how to use her smartphone she has extremely strong opinions on politics in India (she's never been interested or affected by Indian politics).

But she truly can't separate fact from fiction in terms of news links. She's still very low information in terms of understand the dynamics of an issue. But nonetheless, very strong opinions lately.

[Doctor Phibes]

I've really enjoyed getting in touch with old friends from back home. I love seeing what people are doing. I'm not going to organize Whatsapp calls with them but it's nice to see them, and their families and what have you.

I know way more people from England than I do around here. They're not exactly the friendliest bunch in Massachusetts.

[Mik]

I used FB to start a very successful nonprofit that is now providing $10K in scholarships each year. There is immense value in it in that you can realize what a lot of people are feeling pretty easily and take advantage of those opportunities to do good things.

IF, of course, you want to do good things. I find though that online belligerence and nastiness tends to be from those who have not been online very long.

Then there's Jon these past couple months, but that's another story. Larry is who he is. I think he would be no different in person. Most people eventually recognize the anonymity it brings and the ability to act in ways you never would in person as a bad thing. So in an awful lot of ways America is still in an adolescent stage with social media. Hopefully we grow out of it and then everyone will be as wonderful as me.

[xenon]

@mik said in Social media implosion:

So in an awful lot of ways America the world is still in an adolescent stage with social media. Hopefully we grow out of it and then everyone will be as wonderful as me.

Absolutely agree. I wish we can allow new players to enter this space (instead of the first people who figured it out into perpetuity)

[Mik]

@xenon I would agree with that. Otherwise it will (and perhaps is) get very, very stale.

[Copper]

I tend to stay away from politics on facebook

I know a guy on facebook, former co-worker, who seems to spend his life insulting 12-year-olds who like Mr. Trump. They just shout at each other, saying the same stuff every day.

It is really pathetic.

[George K]

@copper said in Social media implosion:

I know a guy on facebook, former co-worker, who seems to spend his life insulting 12-year-olds who like Mr. Trump. They just shout at each other, saying the same stuff every day.

It is really pathetic.

Have them come to TNCR! They'd both fit right in!

[kluurs]

FB has some groups that are interesting. I participate in a few - sharing recordings and such - great way to hear new music and learn a lot.

I manage a bird group that I let get too large. FB encourages people to join a zillion groups with the problem that there are trolls and idiots who post crap that shouldn't be there. I remove those folks quickly.

The problem isn't just social media. I think cable news madness is such that were I Hitler for a day, I might eliminate MSNBC, Fox News and CNN immediately - and feel that the world was a better place.

Absent that capability, I think there should be consequences for blatant lies - as was the case of the Nicholas Sandmann. If Dominion Voting gets a billion or two out of Fox commentators, that wouldn't be bad. There has to be more accountability for an attempt at truth. If one just listens to one network, you just get crap. News and new commentary may have reached a new low in the past 10-15 years.

[jodi]

@george-k said in Social media implosion:

@copper said in Social media implosion:

I know a guy on facebook, former co-worker, who seems to spend his life insulting 12-year-olds who like Mr. Trump. They just shout at each other, saying the same stuff every day.

It is really pathetic.

Have them come to TNCR! They'd both fit right in!

[89th]

@george-k said in Social media implosion:

TNCR, FTW!

+1

[89th]

@doctor-phibes said in Social media implosion:

Am I the only person who basically uses Facebook for keeping in touch with my friends and family?

Same here. I actually cringe a bit opening it here and there and usually never scroll more than two or three swipes. So many opinions, ads, etc. To your point, the only reason I haven't deleted my account is it's nice to have a connection to see updates from friends/family.

[89th]

@xenon said in Social media implosion:

I hope everyone quits social media.

Not gonna happen, but wouldn't that be nice? (Or at least I think so anyways)

I hope this is at least a marginal push towards "micro-sites" rather than one-stop platforms.

It really would be nice. So much would be solved if we moved away from the instant-information sharing paradigm...both news media and social media. So much.

[Catseye3]

@89th said in Social media implosion:

So much would be solved if we moved away from the instant-information sharing paradigm...both news media and social media. So much.

Oh Lordie, yes. Too much racket, too much clutter, too much muchness.