What would the world be like without social media?

[Shiprex]

I just spent the last 25 minutes waiting for cloudflare to let me post this because it's a useless piece of software that seems incapable of sustaining the link to the site. The feedback link doesn't work and their actual site doesn't allow you to point out issues with their "security" protocols.

ANYWAY
It seems over the years that people have adopted a far more screen based lifestyle and less face to face one. This has resulted in fewer socially competent individuals and much greater stress and unhappiness among people.

Would switching off the internet or limiting it to a few hours a day make people happier and less sedentary or would they just be the same self centred sociopaths they are now?

[andreasderjuengere]

The 'screen based' life style had been spread in the 1960's - in the U. S. even earlier.

What we see nowadays is simply a continuation and acceleration of what went wrong a lot earlier.

The early social media had been the village pub, and Sunday church.

We now switched to electronics - but was anything changed in its basics?

[Shiprex]

Social interaction with immediate consequences. One has no idea now of the impact Social media has on another when the pub, church scenarios could be gauged right away, addressed immediately and resolved face to face. Not so today meaning toxic behaviour can go unchecked

[andreasderjuengere]

I see what you mean. Now... pubs and churches had been around quite a while. Where electronics are ''new'' - I imagine that ''anti-toxic'' measures can be developed. Just right now we don't have something. 'We' have just started only.

[Shiprex]

It's an interesting concept that maybe AI could (who regulates it though?) purge toxic online behaviour though I still believe the human experience is diluted when it's not face to face body to body where you can read expressions and body language more readily

[andreasderjuengere]

Cool idea: AI analyzes your text input, and when it's out of scale ---> maybe an electric shock through the touch screen?

[Shiprex]

😅😅 electric shock therapy as "treatment " might be extreme , I'd thought it would be more like time out or make scrolling really slow.

[andreasderjuengere]

Okay okay :) if you want it soft, then perhaps an ''auto shut off''.
To re-start a phone is one annoying experience, too.

[andreasderjuengere]

I just imagine: ''Fuck...''

[andreasderjuengere]

and two minutes later: '' ... you'' - could be fun.

[Shiprex]

LOL yeah that drop down notification warning you ahead starting with "Do you REALLY think that's appropriate?" and you must answer Y/N then justify it to the AI then it will let you post.
Next is a "Seriously, I warned you" message.
Then "AGAIN"
Followed by "Apologise" with a count down then the screen will go in and out of focus for a bit before it shuts down the next time.
I imagine this could be done on individual IP or device addresses through ISPs.

[goaded]

It would be easier to avoid those self centred sociopaths, and they would have a harder time to organise and take over whole countries.

[NathanDavis]

that was back in 2002... you were there too, lmao

remember?

[Shiprex]

I was and have fond memories but they're being washed away with all the bs now.

[Sevenpointfive]

we'd be oblivious and at the whims of those that control it and every other media

[Shiprex]

Isn't that how it is now only kinda more overwhelming

[Sevenpointfive]

that is exactly how it is. and social media will also cause those in control demise

[Shiprex]

So under informed but just as confused lol

[Sevenpointfive]

pre-social media and most media in general we were oblivious. the wars might be happening but no one knew about it. they'd prefer that and it's why journalism is so dangerous sometimes. social media is also dangerous. one opinion and you could get arrested for life. the world before was a lot smaller. i never intended to be a read the newspaper type of guy, but if you stop reading the propoganda and stop completely trusting news outlets you'll be okay. but from a political standpoint you can't get unbiased news without an agenda.

[Nikki1989]

Social media is what you make of it. Look for the bad, and you will find it everywhere you look. It is ALL up to you.

[Jeff51]

The world was fine without it so it will be ok again.

[MannMitAntworten]

Pre-1970’s I imagine. Not that most had access to the social media platform that was then available.

[Panthero80]

Ironically, probably more social.

[Shiprex]

It would be I think

[Simslover92]

Better.

[WonderingManII]

100 times better!

[Anonymous]

It would be a shitty place. I can't imagine.