Simple question, however, sometimes it takes some time before I can answer it. Sometimes because I want to evaluate our options first. Depending on who asked this question, I immediately regret the answer I chose. They might want to hear something I never wanted to share with anyone in the first place or let me do something totally unexpected. In most cases, this game is only fun until it is my turn. But let's dive right into the topic.
There was a time, not so long ago, where my after hours were absorbed significantly by social media. Especially by Instagram. It is easy to consume, the content is engaging, because, yes, it was created to make me interact with it. Sometimes I replayed it. What I never did, was interacting in any other way with the content. My rule was to never open the comments, never like and never re-watch too many times.
One hour passed while doomscrolling through "social media". I never liked the videos saying "wait until the end". I mean that's just modern simple view-baiting. However there was a vast number of them popping up. My TV merely serves as background noise to not make me feel isolated. Another hour. Somehow it is really hard for me to stop consuming the "content". I am either so unsatisfied with what I see that I want to keep scrolling until finally hitting something I truly enjoyed watching, or so satisfied that I just want to keep going. But where does all this content come from anyway and why would folks even bother publishing any of this kind of stuff. And why so much? Let's explore those questions later.
One thing is sure. It is addictive. And that's on purpose.
I just talked about where does all this weird content come from in a first place and why do people bother publishing this. Let's be honest for a second, would you, if no monetary incentives were in sight, ever share something like this? Honestly, what is the point? Mostly women, sometimes even underaged, sharing cringe dance videos. Sex sells, but only if there is a buyer. Would they still do it if from the start there wasn't any dream about money or becoming "influencer" in sight? My guess would be, maybe a couple of times, like back then when everyone used to have a personal blog. But it would forever be a hobby. Never a job. What I do actually really like is puppy videos. They are super cute. But then I started looking at the profiles that posted those videos. I started realizing that none of those were genuine. All re-shares of re-shares from random accounts who want their part of the cake. Most probably the actual creators of the videos won't get any share of it, except for established accounts. It feels a little bit like feeding the sharks.
Why the title, why did I chose "Truth Or Dare"? The answer is I think it is exactly the same concept. People get "dared" into posting on social media. The dream is so reachable. But in the end they forget how easily they might just look like fools, just as we all did back then when playing "Truth Or Dare" with our closest friends. Except that here the entire world is watching. And the worst part: It is actually the goal.
So my conclusion is that social media has become one big Truth or Dare game. But everyone chooses Dare and nobody chooses Truth.
I have now entirely deleted Instagram without replacement. My mental health improved immediately and I feel like wasting more time. I mean I would come back to a platform where content is shared without monetary incentives. But I will never ever set my foot into a platform where content creators are rewarded for views, clicks, interactions or whatsoever. I want genuine content. I don't need a video a day, I'm fine with a post a month or even a year, if it's genuine.
My personal belief is that social media shouldn't be beneficial in a monetary aspect to anyone. It should be about sharing a passion. It should be about sharing a message. It should be about care and respect.
Take care!
Rick.
