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Simpler times (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 week ago by to c/memes@lemmy.world
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[–] 41 points 1 week ago (8 children)

Pro tip: the nightmare rectangle is actually under your control. You can:

  • get off social media
  • read factual sources of news rather than doomerism. Or not follow news at all if you want.
  • You can use your phone to follow your hobbies and passions. Maybe even learn something of your interest.
  • You can use your phone to contact loved ones.
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  • [–] 7 points 1 week ago (5 children)

    That's what drives me nuts about these sorts of memes, they're just learned helplessness. You control what you're viewing. No-one is forcing you to read or watch anything. Some platforms try to mould and filter what you see on them, so simply stop using them, or limit your use if you must dip in. Others have biases that you should be aware of and take in to account.

    Curate your own intake, and know when to stop. Put the phone down, and do something else. Uninstall the apps and delete the bookmarks if you must, but take control and stop blaming things you have control over.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 week ago (2 children)

    It's not that simple, sadly. It's curated and designed to drag you in, social media is slightlymore obvious about it, but everything has an app with bells and whistles to drag you in (look at our adds, buy our stuff, pay a subscription) ,. Plus addiction is real. If everyone drinks in every spare moment, how do you tell if you're an alcoholic, but replace alcohol with phone.

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  • [–] 1 point 6 days ago (1 child)

    Sure, when I say these things are simple, I don't necessarily mean they're easy. None-the-less, it is down to each individual to control their behaviour. Having supportive people around you undoubtedly helps, but no algorithm can actually control your behaviour unless you permit it to.

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  • [–] 1 point 6 days ago

    I mean, that's literally addiction though, when you can't control your behaviour. I had a feeling the algorithms were intense, but reading the stuff from the Facebook whistle-blower really opened my eyes eve further.

    They have studied how to force the human brain to stay attached. To summarise the Facebook stuff they figured out you stay stuck to the screen if they bombard you with anxiety ridden content. And then they monopolise a system of communication businesses and schools use (I'm not ok with the fact businesses and schools use Facebook).

    I get it, community noticeboard and it's an easy way into a business web page if you don't have capital to hire someone. It's a mess. But yeah, there's a reason why most people who are, say, alcoholics have to stay away from bars or parties where people are drinking, Facebook is designed to attach to certain parts of your brain and keep you stuck, and people out there are using it in such a way you still have to engage.

    I definitely felt the algorithms effects on me when I left reddit and came here. Seeking that dopamine deep scroll, that just isn't here. I'm so grateful for that, this being a place to detox and doesn't have a malicious algorithm. But all in all, the human brain is hugely pliable and easily manipulated (or targeted advertising wouldn't be such a big business) I don't believe it's in any way fitting to blame the person engaging with purposefully manipulative content that's designed to trap you. I don't think it's not possible to break free and detox, and I agree with you it's hard, really hard. I just don't agree with faulting people for falling into a designed trap that has had millions, probably billions put into its powers of manipulation.

    Plus, saying it's the person's fault, in any phrasing, takes away from the real culprit that we should be fighting. And gives them an easy out. It's not the individuals fault it's the evil overlords, causing literal brain washing and they need to be taken down. And if people look at it from a "this is designed to trap you" perspective, it causes a very different, and much more achievable, approach to abstinence, too. Just my take. Thought you might find the perspective interesting.

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  • [–] 3 points 6 days ago (1 child)

    Ah yes, bury your head in the sand and all the ills of the world will disappear.

    No unfortunately even if I don't watch the news, the news is still happening all around me.

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  • [–] 2 points 6 days ago

    Absolutely, but that doesn't mean you have to let your phone become a "nightmare rectangle". You already know things are bad, you don't need to constantly immerse yourself in every detail of the badness. Keep an overview, of course, but save your energy, and your sanity, for doing something positive instead.

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