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I'd say this is more a problem with human nature, that social media is just exposing at a whole new level. It's basic biology to want to be the best, in order t

I'd say this is more a problem with human nature, that social media is just exposing at a whole new level. It's basic biology to want to be the best, in order to attract the best mate etc. Social media has blown open a world where not only is there always someone better, more attractive, more fun, more social-able etc than you but also that the levels these people reach will always be unobtainable for you.

polskibus 9y ago
Of course it is, but then if it wasn't for that, social media would've never gotten so successful in the first place. What matters is the effect it has on the society, esp. on the immature minds that are taking shape. If you break it early, it may never unlock its full potential or be happy.
0xBA5ED 9y ago
This is how I feel about all the people on HN who are vastly smarter than me.
- ZenoArrow 9y ago
  The thing is, if you're going to compare yourself to others (which is something I'd recommend keeping to a minimum), it's easy enough to find someone who is more knowledgeable about something than you, but if you treat it as an opportunity to learn more then there's no downsides. Also, it's unlikely you'll find many people who are more knowledgeable than you on everything you know something about. Our own experience leads to different specialisations. I don't know your background, but I'm sure there are some things you have more knowledge about than me, and some things I have more knowledge about than you. If you only see someone as smarter you're only seeing part of the picture.
- k4ch0w 9y ago
  I like being around the guys here on HN. I don't mind that they are smarter than I. You always learn something new and are surrounded by the latest in Tech. I'd say just surrounding yourself with the people here will in turn make you smarter/knowledgeable.
  - 0xBA5ED 9y ago
    Oh, I agree. I learn a lot here. It's the best corner of the web.
    - maneesh 9y ago
      Have you seen any other forums with smart people on the web?
      - 0xBA5ED 9y ago
        Nothing this active. I'd love to know if there are more hotspots like this one.
    - Arcwise 9y ago
      I just stumbled upon this website minutes ago and the comments on here immediately caught my eye. This place looks a lot like a poor man's Reddit but the discussions are on a whole other level; more focused and pithy, no jokes and memes. I really like it.
aalleavitch 9y ago
I think this is really it. Suicide rates have shot up 31% for boys and have over doubled for girls. I'd be willing to bet that a lot of that has to do with girls, who have always been subjected to unrealistic societal standards for attractiveness and an over-emphasis on how they compare to other women in appearance and social standing, now suddenly finding themselves in a situation where they are feeling pressured to compete on a global scale for these things over platforms like Instagram and subjected to feeling like they are constantly coming up short. I've heard a lot of anecdotes regarding the extreme escalation of efforts by girls to come off as more attractive/popular on social media in recent years. Their lives are now inundated with metrics by which they feel they have to compare themselves to others. That would make anyone anxious and depressed.

polskibus 9y ago

Of course it is, but then if it wasn't for that, social media would've never gotten so successful in the first place. What matters is the effect it has on the society, esp. on the immature minds that are taking shape. If you break it early, it may never unlock its full potential or be happy.

0xBA5ED 9y ago

This is how I feel about all the people on HN who are vastly smarter than me.

ZenoArrow 9y ago
The thing is, if you're going to compare yourself to others (which is something I'd recommend keeping to a minimum), it's easy enough to find someone who is more knowledgeable about something than you, but if you treat it as an opportunity to learn more then there's no downsides. Also, it's unlikely you'll find many people who are more knowledgeable than you on everything you know something about. Our own experience leads to different specialisations. I don't know your background, but I'm sure there are some things you have more knowledge about than me, and some things I have more knowledge about than you. If you only see someone as smarter you're only seeing part of the picture.
k4ch0w 9y ago
I like being around the guys here on HN. I don't mind that they are smarter than I. You always learn something new and are surrounded by the latest in Tech. I'd say just surrounding yourself with the people here will in turn make you smarter/knowledgeable.
- 0xBA5ED 9y ago
  Oh, I agree. I learn a lot here. It's the best corner of the web.
  - maneesh 9y ago
    Have you seen any other forums with smart people on the web?
    - 0xBA5ED 9y ago
      Nothing this active. I'd love to know if there are more hotspots like this one.
  - Arcwise 9y ago
    I just stumbled upon this website minutes ago and the comments on here immediately caught my eye. This place looks a lot like a poor man's Reddit but the discussions are on a whole other level; more focused and pithy, no jokes and memes. I really like it.

aalleavitch 9y ago

I think this is really it. Suicide rates have shot up 31% for boys and have over doubled for girls. I'd be willing to bet that a lot of that has to do with girls, who have always been subjected to unrealistic societal standards for attractiveness and an over-emphasis on how they compare to other women in appearance and social standing, now suddenly finding themselves in a situation where they are feeling pressured to compete on a global scale for these things over platforms like Instagram and subjected to feeling like they are constantly coming up short. I've heard a lot of anecdotes regarding the extreme escalation of efforts by girls to come off as more attractive/popular on social media in recent years. Their lives are now inundated with metrics by which they feel they have to compare themselves to others. That would make anyone anxious and depressed.