The Social Dilemma (a Netflix documentary)

Watch this documentary. ASAP

I’m tempted to leave my comments at that. Seriously, watch the program.

Before viewing, I knew social media manipulates. I knew product placement and advertising run the business. I shrugged and accepted the trade-off.

But I’m now aware of how the algorithms work to place in front of my eyes news stories meant specifically for me. Only me. Different than the news feed of my wife, or my neighbor, or my kids. The fact that I’m being used, and controlled, angers me. And I’m frightened for my family and our democracy.

Where I’m from, ranchers deliver livestock to feedlots for fattening before slaughter. Enormous crowds of cattle stand filling their bellies, contented and unaware, clueless to the butcher sharpening his knives one building over.

I graze my social media like one of those cows.

The butcher waits.

How do we push back?

Take the apps off your phone. Limit your screen time and especially the screen time of your kids. Most telling of the comments at the end of the movie are the Silicon Valley execs sharing how they either don’t let their own kids on social media at all, or severely limit its use.

I took the apps off my phone a long time ago, limiting my usage to my laptop. I found this practice super helpful. The temptation to constantly check my phone faded. I find that using my computer feels more like work, which slows me down.

I rarely post pictures of myself. Who really needs to see me anyway?

I refuse to get my news from social media. I go to trusted news outlets instead.

I stopped engaging in discussions on social media threads.

I go places without my phone. I used to live this way – I spent a summers abroad phone-less – why not try it again?

I read physical books.

I now think of social media like I think of alcoholic beverages. I can have a little, I like the taste and in small amounts it might actually be good for me. However, overindulgence leads to problems, growing ever more drastic when rampant alcohol use remains unchecked over time.

Social media feels the same. A little bit is ok. Too much leads to drunkenness and cirrhosis of the liver.

Doesn’t that remind you of our society?

Finally, I turn off my social media, my email and my phone after dinner, as much as possible. It’s nice. Try it for a few evenings and see if you agree.