a) Social media : in the beginning
When social media started at the time of internet boom, it was all about:
leveraging the internet to connect people with each other.
bring people together
turning the entire world in a small global village.
Right?
And as you can see today, it certainly accomplished its purpose. In fact, it has gone beyond our expectations.
It has changed to a point where I think, Its time to redefine the term "Social Media".
b) Social media : Now
What does social media really mean in today’s world?
Let's take a look at the world right now.
This year is a election year. Almost 60 countries have elections this year. SO I think most of the people can witness the applications of Social media. How social media is really getting used?
Just look around in the rooms of the internet.
Now, it's all about
advertisement
attention
campaigns
propaganda
information warfare
brainwashing
and most importantly business and money.
You tell me, what aspect of social media is genuine?
Content is full of propaganda. What you see on the screen, you can't trust. And AI generated content just makes it worse. The age of matrix is just around the corner.
You look at the comment section, it's either bots or some self-proclaimed kings of the universe, acting like morally bankrupt species. Which by the way are found in every age, be it teenagers or 40 years adults.
c) Social media : Reality
So now the reality is different.
Social media is not about connecting people, it is not social anymore.
it has become a business.
it is all about:
collecting as much data as possible from you,
using that data to train the algorithms
algorithms keeps you hooked to the screen by exploiting your dopamine system.
your screen time is kept high through mindless scrolling
they collect more data
which means better algorithms.
better advertising results
Higher profits
And this cycle keep going on.
The main question is:
Can those social media addicted people get anything useful through scrolling?
Answer : Of course they Can.
But will they get anything useful which will eventually change there lives?
Nope. Never.
Because the only thing that can change their lives is:
Stop scrolling and living their head
Get the work done
Utilize their time
How can they even use that advice?
because their attention span has been reduced to merely 5 to 10 minutes.
Let's talk about the entire ecosystem.
What creates Social Media ecosystem?
Platform -> Business
You -> User
Advertisers -> Income source for the Business.
This entire ecosystem is driven by user generated content.
In this entire ecosystem,
the only loser is you.
one who is getting exploited is you
one who is missing out the wonderful life is you.
So stop being foolish.
Either Start using social media as it tool.
Live.
d) Everything is not bad
Now, let me take time to clarify my stand. i'm not saying that there is nothing worth watching or reading or listening on the Internet. Of course there is.
There is some quality content out there. No one is denying that.
And as rubbish on the internet is increasing. so is the critical thinking and mental capacity of people. People ARE getting matured.
And as Audience matures, there will always be a need for better content. So quality will keep on rising.
I am talking about these social media addicted people who do the mindless scrolling.
That’s all for today.
Thanks for reading!!!
Verma