from Hacker News

Aks HN: How not to influence by social media?

by uvu on 5/17/22, 3:50 PM with 4 comments

In the past few weeks, I have been thinking about my social media usage and my decision-making. It's somehow influenced my day-to-day decision by social media.

For example,

For the past few years, I want to work remotely. I realize now it was because of the influence of people I follow on Twitter. (Like DHH, levels.io, etc...)

In the past few weeks/months, I have been buying some alt crypto that I did not really explore or learn their fundamentals. And I realize it's because of people I follow on Twitter. (Note: I am here to show an example, not to blame them)

I can continue the example lists. Some of them are good and some of them are really bad. I feel like the people I follow are who am I.

I have been exploring this on the internet and most people suggest not to use social media or spend less time on social media. For some amount of time, it's okay. But, later after a while, I get back to my normal social media usage and become addicted. Later it becomes normal. And the cycle keeps going on.

My question is, how do you break this cycle?

  • by WallyFunk on 5/17/22, 4:22 PM

    Breaking the cycle is the wrong approach. I've embraced social media because it can actually be empowering. I've learned to be skeptical of obvious propaganda and also subtle propaganda which isn't so obvious. Try to scout for ulterior motives in a post. `Is this post contributing towards some greater good or is this post done in bad faith?` is a good heuristic.

    Personally I follow, subscribe to uplifting content and all the political flame bait gets the chop. I follow a lot of stoics on Twitter and motivational quotes type accounts that can actually rewire your brain to be more positive in how you look at and frame reality.

  • by EddieDante on 5/17/22, 4:02 PM

    If you aren't willing to stop using social media, then I suggest cultivating cynicism. Don't take anything you watch or read at face value. Always ask yourself what agenda the people you follow are pushing, and what benefit they get from pushing that agenda.

    Cui bono (who benefits?) is one of the most useful questions you'll ever learn to ask.

  • by minroot on 5/17/22, 4:39 PM

    Don't be stupid, don't follow idiots.

  • by yuppie_scum on 5/17/22, 11:53 PM

    Just stop using social media