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I sometimes spend hours after work browsing HN and reading articles about tech, trying to keep up with new frameworks or concepts. Seeing everyone understanding

I sometimes spend hours after work browsing HN and reading articles about tech, trying to keep up with new frameworks or concepts. Seeing everyone understanding stuff in comments is sometimes very depressing as I feel under pressure to match up to what others seem to grok so easily. So, it can be quite the same as Instagram. The comments on HN are often similar in nature to the Instagram posts in that they only show people at their best, in the sense that they generally wouldn't post if they didn't have something smart to add. But there are so many folks in tech that don't necessarily understand everything. I am exaggerating a bit here for the sake of argument. There is certainly a difference, but the core reason is often identified as comparing yourself with unrealistic representations of what life, abilities, looks, etc. of others is like. And that can happen in any forum.

mastrsushi 5y ago
Driving to the rich part of town and seeing pretty people in German Luxury Vehicles cut you off could be considered depressing. The difference between this, HN and social media is that you have an encapsulated view of what you think is someone's personal life. Some guy on the headline of HN makes a career out of implementing Ruby interpreters. That's great, but that's his work life. He could be divorced with 4 kids. The rich guy with the hot wife that cut you off, he could be an attorney for ExxonMobil or some other miserable high paying role. Social media is false proof that regardless of status or true well being, you have the opportunity to paint the shape of your life.