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Think less “app too good” and more “big tobacco strategy”. Because let’s not kid ourselves: that’s exactly what these apps are trying to do – become as addictiv
by Swizec 3y ago
Think less “app too good” and more “big tobacco strategy”. Because let’s not kid ourselves: that’s exactly what these apps are trying to do – become as addictive as possible. On purpose.
- robertlagrant 3y agoEveryone wants to sell more; that's far too broad a category. Tobacco is bad because it is chemically addictive, and its delivery is paired with inhaling tar.
- Loughla 3y agoIs a constant dopamine hit not addictive?
- robertlagrant 3y agoIf its delivery coated your lungs with tar, it would then be comparable to big tobacco.
- Swizec 3y agoIf social media use has been casually linked to depression and friends, that’s kinda like coating your brain with tar. https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/study-social-media-use-linked-to-decline-mental-health https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/study-social-m...
- megaman821 3y agoIf I gave you 10 random people to run tests on, you could tell me who the heavy social media users were? Because I could tell you who the heavy smokers were, if you gave me the same. Social media may have its problems, but these terrible comparison to drugs is silly. It is not going convince anyone but those who already don't like social media.
- Swizec 3y agoYes everyone wants to sell more, but social media companies purposefully try to make their product addictive. There are entire teams of psychologists and behavioral experts figuring out how to maximize engagement through manipulating your emotional response to stimuli. It’s similar to the superstimulus effect in junk food. The stuff is designed to hijack your instincts without providing much in return. We think we get more value out of social media (or a bag of chips) than we actually do because it’s purposefully designed to make us feel that way. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernormal_stimulus https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernormal_stimulus
- nitwit005 3y agoEvery company wants you emotionally hooked on their products. Ford Motor Co wants you obsessed with Ford vehicles. Facebook has an easier time doing studies, but companies have spent decades trialing different ads, marketing campaigns, sales pitches, etc.
- avocabros 3y agoThis is the intention of capitalism - profits go to the companies who can build products that people are most enticed to buy. A company that doesn't work to make their product loved/addictive will not continue to exist. Another way of phrasing what you've said is that we should prevent companies from building products that people really like and want to use. No one is forcing anyone to use Facebook.