Social media discussion

[russeler97]

What do you think of social media? Some people feel as though it has a negative impact on their lives, such as constantly comparing themselves to others and feeling left out, but on the flip side it has made contact throughout the world much easier and for free.

 

Personally I deleted my Facebook awhile ago, I don't use Instagram or Twitter but I've kept Snapchat and WhatsApp just for contacting friends and family, I haven't missed Facebook in the slightest, it was way to much of a distraction for me.

 

Also have you ever considered deleting social media like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter ect...?

 

[Rafae]

It's had both positive and negative effects like you listed above, now though more so negative than positive. It's ruined the entire idea of a relationship or even friendships in some instances. Everyone is so much more insecure now, validating self-worth via likes and retweets and what have you

 

I've got accounts on pretty much everything except Snapchat. Hardly use Facebook for anything, Twitter I'll be on frequently just to see hilarious sh*t on my timeline as well as just other relatable stuff relevant to my life at a certain moment. Instagram I honestly just use to creep on baddies, not much else. I even avoid giving it out to real life people for that reason, I don't wanna follow people I know in real life on that lol, its just weird as f*ck.

 

Whatsapp I use basically as a replacement for texting as well as to keep in contact with my family and relatives. I'd say the forums here is probably the thing I frequent most and have been for I don't even know how long now. It's just a great place with so many like-minded people that share the same interests as me.

Edited June 27, 2017 by Rafae

[Maxxeine]

If one has to use social media to maintain friendships that would have ended otherwise; then social media isn't the answer.

[Matrelith]

I have a Facebook account but I only really use it once a day to keep up with relatives, friends and artists I follow. After being up to date again I forget about it and move on to do different things. I rarely post anything myself, only when I have something I really want to share with others.

 

I don't bother with Twitter, Instagram and such.

[Coleco]

I gave up on Facebook a long time ago. For the most part it's just a sanitized highlight reel of people's lives - if you're feeling particularly under the weather or unfulfilled in some way it's probably the worst thing to look at.

 

Also it made me realise just how over-opinionated, shallow and boring a lot of people I know actually are

[Mister Pink]

Gave FB up about 6 months ago. I still have an account as a keep of contacts but the account itself is inactive. I also lost my phone out drinking and never bothered to replace it, so I've completely been weened off the checking my phone a 100 times a day bullsh*t. Luckily, I've been taking a sort of sabbatical, mostly studying and working on personal, creative projects. Being off FB is liberating. It also made me realize how phony thing this. It's a total mind-rot.

 

I think FB feeding all people's bullsh*t, trawling through the mindless quizzes, "like if you hate bad things," humble-bragging and sanctimonious, virtue-signalling, online activism rots your brain. It's too much to take. Going from topic to topic in seconds of usually click-baity rubbish. At least at a forum like this, you have specific subjects/topics and there's order and rules and etiquette that we abide by. Discussion is usually in longer form from generally like-minded individuals. I mean you don't have to fear Johnny Arsewank's aunt chiming in on the conversation on a subject she hasn't a clue about.

 

Also, FB keeps you in an echo-chamber when it comes to diversive views. The FB algorithms will prioritize friends with similar views so you may just be snug a bubble of your own similar views and thinking.

 

This is a great analysis of social media and the positive effects with out it. He makes an good argument for working better without it. He's a computer scientist.

 

 

Edited June 27, 2017 by Mister Pink

[DOUGL4S1]

I don't use Facebook a lot anymore, we used to do lots of school-related stuff there on a group, but now whatever. I only use Twitter to keep up with games and TV series' news that I follow, and that's it. Not even WhatsApp for me because f*ck Brazilian taxes on a phone.

 

I haven't used Facebook in so long that it keeps spamming me with e-mails, like "(Friend) has commented on (person I don't know)'s photo!"

Edited June 27, 2017 by DOUGL4S1

[dudclub55]

I only really use WhatsApp nowadays.

[Blondie]

There was a period of time when I had two Facebook accounts with friends and family members on them and I ended up deleting them both. After awhile I registered on Facebook again but I only added people I know really well. That account is very inactive now, I only look at it sometimes to see if someone is having a birthday or something else. I used to have a Twitter account when I was like eleven years old and I tweeted some cringy stuff I found a few months ago. I don't use Twitter anymore because personally it feels like a lot of people are really toxic on that app. I frequently use Instagram because I like photography and sharing pictures there but I only have like ten followers because I don't want to use hashtags or that kind of stuff. It takes a lot of time to be active on social media and social media really affects my mood so when I am not that active on social media, generally I am a bit happier.

Edited June 27, 2017 by Blondie

[Leftist Bastard]

If one has to use social media to maintain friendships that would have ended otherwise; then social media isn't the answer.

I disagree. These programs quite simply close the distance and solve the logistics. Some relationships and friendship would simply be intangible without social media and that's not because they're ''weak'' or anything.

[AlienTwo]

 

If one has to use social media to maintain friendships that would have ended otherwise; then social media isn't the answer.

I disagree. These programs quite simply close the distance and solve the logistics. Some relationships and friendship would simply be intangible without social media and that's not because they're ''weak'' or anything.

 

Just like most anything ever created, social media can be both good and bad. It's a pretty broad subject to just "like" or "dislike" the whole thing, but while overuse can be very detrimental, it's existence does help to keep a lot of distant people connected, friends, family, people who live hundreds or thousands of miles apart can have brief convos and check in, remind each other why they were friends in the first place.

[feckyerlife]

5 years ago i said it was going to be the downfall of society, i still stand by that.

[Gnocchi Flip Flops]

I couldm't care less. I think people exaggerate about social media and how bad it is. To me it's just like bitching about generations and how they're getting worse and blah blah blah. Who gaf. Obviously if you "live" on Facebook or Instagram or Snap Chat, etc, then there is a problem especially if you constantly seek attention or validation. But okay here's the deal. We live in Texas. Nobody else in our family lives here. They live in North Carolina. Same with my mom's friends. So Facebook is very useful in regards to connecting with each other because not everybody has the money or time to just fly or drive to each other and meet all of the time.

 

Me? I don't really use Facebook but, eh, couldn't care less if someone did. I use Instagram for my photography and car hobbies/interests and connect with people of similar interests as well as work to better myself at photography and broaden my perspective. It's bemeficial for me.

 

I dom't know I think I just don't really care about the negative affects of social media. Betwee its actual bad affects and the people bitching about it, I think I find the bitching more annoying, honest...

[Banks.]

I deleted my Facebook account a while back and I don't miss it one bit. I'm private about my life and I don't feel the need to update everyone on it. I also couldn't careless about what other people are up to so having an account just became pointless. People who want to contact me should have my number and most my friends live near by anyway so I see most of them regularly.

Edited June 27, 2017 by Banks.

[AlienTwo]

Facebook for me has become only a platform to show pics of my kid and like the pics of my kids who belong to my friends and family.

[chronic lumbago]

I deleted my Facebook account a while back and I don't miss it one bit. I'm private about my life and I don't feel the need to update everyone on it. I also couldn't careless about what other people are up to so having an account just became pointless. People who want to contact me should have my number and most my friends live near by anyway so I see most of them regularly.

Same here. Couldn't agree more.

 

I also think that the whole "like" and "selfie" thing develops a false sense of confidence in some people, might be why social media got so popular in the first place. I've witnessed people change to arrogant pricks and girls not being interested in relationships with anyone anymore. I'm speaking of young adults here, ages about 17-20. Back then, it seemed it was all about wearing the fake FB glasses. People panicking and begging for hotspot connection back in school. It seemed girls only met up with boys who were popular and FB and ignored anyone with few likes. It's as if FB was on the top of the pyramid, the first thing people looked at and cared about the most.

 

I've been pretty much peer pressured into FB when I was 16 or so. I know I'm speaking of early adulthood here and adult people care more about having family and close friends in the list but still. I don't think FB and co. is a good thing for "kids". It's incredibly overhyped and relied upon. Made me delete it when I was 21. People've gotten older and didn't seem to change at all. It was still about showing off random sh*t they do and edit a selfie to the max. I've had over 400 friends but I ended up not giving a sh*t at all anymore.

 

No offence to actual homosexuals, but men turned into total fa**ots too. I had to stop friendships because of it. Gangs of skinny jeans selfie stick holding f*cking fa**ots.

Edited June 27, 2017 by fashion

[Fuzzknuckles]

I'm 50/50 on it.

 

On the one hand, I think it's great that it's reconnected me with old friends, helped me find new ones, allowed me to publicise my band and reach out to listeners, and generally enhanced my interactions and expanded them immeasurably.

 

On the other hand, 99% of people on the internet are f*cking c*nts and they have ugly, horrible opinions that they not only want to share, but also ram down people's throats. It's enabled some truly shameful things like Gamergate, and has validated people oppressing others online through bullying, and so on. It's given a voice to people you generally wouldn't want to ever hear from, and they're all shouting very loudly. It's enabled the spread of misinformation, fake news, whatever you call it, and it's allowing people to exploit other's fears and prejudices for their gain.

 

So in some ways, it's great, but in many, many others, it's entirely toxic and has caused a cultural shift in which people have become much, much sh*ttier people.

 

Part of me says Twitter and Facebook should be shut down, but I'm so reliant on them in so many ways that I don't want to lose them. Aye, there's the rub.

[Travedge]

I still use my fbook but instead of logging out when not using it I just deactivate it.

 

I used to get drunk alot an end up on there, waking up to spammed YouTube music an gibberish.

[Mr. Scratch]

I use it to save my favourite movies, artists or places. And also, memes.

[trip]

No social media for me. The closest I had was an instagram account for my pugs. My wife took over the pugstagram so I'm back to zero social media.

 

The term 'social media' is weird when you think about it.

[Blondie]

I still use my Facebook but instead of logging out when not using it I just deactivate it.

I used to do this a lot too but I pissed off people with that, because then they would tell me in person that they wanted to tag me in something and then they noticed I was deactivated again. It's not like I care about their opinion on it, though. Like, I do what I want to do with my Facebook account, lol. Most of the people on Facebook have my phone number anyway so they could still send me messages on WhatsApp.

[V4S]

I think all social media platforms have their merits and uses for each individual. I can't say I'm one of those that has or have used all of them. I think its a bit much. Facebook is like my newspaper. I follow pages that are of use or educational for me and so that's what the newsfeed is for me. Staying in touch with friends, co-workers, classmates, etc is what the Messenger is used for. I also use Facebook to do social outreach for cats and events for the shelter which is helpful and if I needed the post to reach more people you throw in a couple dollars. So Facebook has been quite useful for me outside of keeping in touch with people and I don't see myself deactivating my account anytime soon.

 

I had an Instagram account but it got hacked and Instagram support was of ZERO help so I abandoned Instagram and don't plan on returning.

[MCMXCII]

In person social interaction is near extinct thanks to social media, in my opinion. People would rather talk to others through Facebook, twitter, and whatever else is out there.

 

I do have Facebook and Twitter but I use Facebook more. One thing that I do like about Facebook though is that it allows me to keep in touch with family that I don't get to see very often and to see what's been going on in their daily lives.

 

Of course, I'm not one of those people who check my Facebook constantly. I check it in short bursts just to see what's the latest funny webcomic or meme that the pages that I follow, post. Or to see what my family members have been up to. I also follow several gaming related pages. Several outdoors and craftsman pages. And a bunch of pages that post content that has everything to do with my state. Fishing is a big thing in my state so I have several pages that I follow that is about fishing in my state. I also follow thousandsof bands and musicians that I like. And a whole lot of other pages about different things.

 

Oh... I'm going off-topic...

 

tl;dr Social Media killed in person human interaction.

[Pavle]

I stopped using Facebook "actively" ages ago, but I only keep it for Messenger, since I dislike WhatsApp or whatever else exists. It's pointless to have so many apps since they all do the same f*cking thing. All require you to have a stable internet connection to send messages to other people, so I just stick to Messenger as it annoys me the least and I actually have contacts there.

 

I use Instagram quite a lot due to muh reasons and sorts, it's less annoying than Facebook, and it shows you what you want to see. It shows you things you can "explore" which are based on things you search for. Example, my feed is basically full of memes lol.

 

I deleted my Snapchat a bit over a year ago, barely use Twitter and I don't feel left out, and I don't really care about those.

[Menstrual Deranged]

I have Facebook and I admit that there are times I spend way too much time on it. Over all, I like it, but there are times that I have mixed feelings.

 

What I like about it is that it allows me to sort of keep in touch with friends and family who live out-of-state or in other countries that I would otherwise rarely see in person. I also subscribe to a lot of meme pages and catching a glimpse of funny memes on my phone now and then while at work is sometimes the only thing that keeps me sane while I'm there (I hate my job right now, it makes me want to die). I have also been able to find long-lost friends who I thought I'd never talk to or see again. It also allows me to connect with people locally who have similar interests. Recently, I needed a replacement 19" stock sport rim for my Pontiac G8 GT and I was able to find one in less than a day from a guy I was associated with through a Facebook group for G8 owners in my area. Was also able to find a local performance shop owned by some dudes who have G8s themselves and know how to work on and customize the cars inside and out. That might sound silly but with my last G8, I took it to a regular car dealership for an oil change and they didn't know how to check the transmission fluid because there is no dipstick for it.

 

There's been times when Facebook has caused trouble, though. Obviously, people are superficial on social media. Things can come across completely opposite of how you're trying to present them sometimes. People play mind games. I've watched my own family members get in some very nasty Facebook fights and dump very personal information about each other for everyone to see. I'll step in to try to make things better only to get caught up in the drama and learn in hindsight that I should have just said nothing. Sometimes I'll get unfriended, usually by someone I work with, and depending on who it is I might be more bothered by it than I want to admit. I'll see them at work and want to ask, "Why, though? *sad face*" but I pretend it doesn't bother me because I don't want to look like I sit around keeping count of my Facebook friends. The truth is, I usually only notice someone has unfriended me when I see them pop up as a friend suggestion or something and I'm like, "Wait, I'm already friends with them!" or I happen to realize I haven't seen them post anything in awhile and I click on their profile only to discover we aren't friends anymore. I try to make myself feel better by telling myself how they couldn't stand how awesome my life looks or maybe they caught their man jerkin' it to my super sexy pics and unfriended me in a jealous rage!! Nah, in actuality I am probably viewed as strange by a lot of women my age because of my affinity for gaming and memes they don't understand so they unfriend me to tidy-up their news feed. Oh well.

[El Dildo]

it's all pretty dumb.

that being said I have a facebook and twitter but I use them sparingly to keep in touch with friends and family who I don't get to see anymore. it's nice to share things with the people you want to share them with. otherwise I ignore political posts and hashtags and whatnot. I understand it's only showing me what I want to see. that's fine. what's the big deal? social media / facebook was not created to be a platform for civilized debates or unbiased journalism. the fact that people and groups misuse social media to spread bullsh/t is not social media's fault.

 

in that regard, social media is probably not helping our national discourse but ignorance and apathy were already a rampant epidemic in this country before we had all these silly time-wasting apps at our fingertips. which means social media is not the problem. it's just another symptom of the disease, an expression of a deeper, underlying issue. facebook is not the reason why people are stupid and disinterested. social media is not under any obligation to be a reliable source of information. or to be accurate. or to even be truthful. it's just another public forum.

 

I would argue the real problem stems from the utter failure of our own traditional media. investigative journalism is largely dead. the time and effort once allocated to serious reporting has taken a backseat to clickbait articles and advertisement revenue. it's all commentary and opinion and political spin. political discourse is dead because they killed it. they pretend that every issue has just 2 possible solutions; the Left or the Right. they boil down the most complex issues into the most digestible soundbytes and extrude all of the important context. then they give a couple of talking heads a couple of minutes to yell at each other before the reporter cuts them off with "and that's all we have time for, guess we'll have to leave it at that" without asking either of them to clarify their remarks or fact-check any statements they've made.

 

as much as I'd love to bash social media for our problems and its own faults, it wouldn't really be fair.

 

 

 

lost my phone out drinking and never bothered to replace it, so I've completely been weened off the checking my phone a 100 times a day bullsh*t.

dude you should still have a phone.

you don't have to put social media on it. but like, you might want to call somebody in an emergency at least

[Smith John]

I just joined Bebo the other day.

[Sombra]

smart phones dumb people amirite :^)

 

I think people really do over exaggerate how detrimental social media is, obviously some are going to latch onto attention or validation through social media but if that's the case then their issues probably run deeper than craving likes from strangers. I have Facebook, Twitter, Insta & Snapchat all on private and for the most part I find them all relatively useful: Whilst I never post on FB or rarely check it I like the group messages and some local groups, Twitter is a fun platform in general as is Instagram and Snapchat but hey f*ckin kids can't do anythin without posting it on social media - some jaded 40+ whos loft is full of photo albums

 

something something millennials

[Leftist Bastard]

There is literally nothing wrong with seeking validation, to be honest. We all seek it one way or another but just don't really like admitting it because it makes you ''pathetic'' or something.

[The Dedito Gae]

There is literally nothing wrong with seeking validation, to be honest. We all seek it one way or another but just don't really like admitting it because it makes you ''pathetic'' or something.

Truu

 

Hit that subscribe button and like for Chop.