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> If people thought that engaging in social media was bad for them, they would stop. This is the absolute cornerstone of your argument, and I gotta say, I thin

by ketzo 6y ago

> If people thought that engaging in social media was bad for them, they would stop. This is the absolute cornerstone of your argument, and I gotta say, I think it is 100% incorrect. This is, in fact, how we often define addiction: A behavior that a person repeatedly and compulsively engages in despite zero or negative side effects. People will absolutely do things, and continue to do things, that they know for certain are bad for them. I mean, seriously -- ask anyone in your life whether they think social media is actually good for them. I genuinely think every single person I know would respond to the effect of "I wish I used it less, but it's tough to quit."

djoldman 6y ago
I should have made "If people thought that engaging in social media was bad for them, they would stop" into question rather than a statement. That said, my follow up questions stand: If people can't stop doing an activity that is definitely hurting them, don't they need professional help? Do all these social media users need professional help?
- ketzo 6y ago
  Interesting, I got too focused on that point. I think you're absolutely right, or at least have the potential to be; I have certainly known people in my life who have had deeply problematic relationships with social media, to the point where professional help was either used or (IMO) would have been a good idea. I mean, I've personally had days where I wished that someone would just yell "get off fucking reddit!" at me. I don't think it's "all users," and even for lots of users who are harmed, it's not necessarily "all the time." But it's definitely something that could be helped by a professional. I guess the alternative is regulation of some kind: we recognize that these sites have the potential for meaningful harm to a large number of people, and someone (the government?) steps in to do something about it.
  - ryandrake 6y ago
    I predict Social Media Rehab is going to be a huge and lucrative business in about 5-10 years. Invest now. ... I initially wrote that as a joke and intended to just hit Reply and move on with my life, but reflecting for more than a minute, there may be something to this. We have drug rehab programs which work to varying degrees. I wonder what research is being done on how to rehabilitate victims of social media, and if any specific techniques are known yet. Social Media has been known as a societal ill for some time, so surely someone is investigating this!

by ketzo 6y ago

djoldman 6y ago

I should have made "If people thought that engaging in social media was bad for them, they would stop" into question rather than a statement. That said, my follow up questions stand: If people can't stop doing an activity that is definitely hurting them, don't they need professional help? Do all these social media users need professional help?

ketzo 6y ago
Interesting, I got too focused on that point. I think you're absolutely right, or at least have the potential to be; I have certainly known people in my life who have had deeply problematic relationships with social media, to the point where professional help was either used or (IMO) would have been a good idea. I mean, I've personally had days where I wished that someone would just yell "get off fucking reddit!" at me. I don't think it's "all users," and even for lots of users who are harmed, it's not necessarily "all the time." But it's definitely something that could be helped by a professional. I guess the alternative is regulation of some kind: we recognize that these sites have the potential for meaningful harm to a large number of people, and someone (the government?) steps in to do something about it.
- ryandrake 6y ago
  I predict Social Media Rehab is going to be a huge and lucrative business in about 5-10 years. Invest now. ... I initially wrote that as a joke and intended to just hit Reply and move on with my life, but reflecting for more than a minute, there may be something to this. We have drug rehab programs which work to varying degrees. I wonder what research is being done on how to rehabilitate victims of social media, and if any specific techniques are known yet. Social Media has been known as a societal ill for some time, so surely someone is investigating this!