> When positive expressions were reduced, people produced fewer positive posts and more negative posts; when negative expressions were reduced, the opposite pat

> When positive expressions were reduced, people produced fewer positive posts and more negative posts; when negative expressions were reduced, the opposite pattern occurred. More precisely, this research appears to show how emotions expressed in Facebook posts get mimicked by connections. Should this be taken as literally reflecting people’s underlying emotional states[0]? I’d accept that they correlate to a degree, but not completely, especially not on a platform that mandates real names. [0] Anecdotally, I could be on balance in a happy state but express annoyance at minor aspects of life in my posts. In fact, the existence of things to complain about is a sign things are going relatively well (when things are looking down on a fundamental level, going on record with that under a real name is risking to alienate IRL connections, and minor nuisances of life seem too insignificant to be worth mentioning). Conversely, seeing more negative posts would make me feel compelled to post more of the same, but on balance feel better about my own situation after seeing what emotions others have to deal with.