In a conversation with a friend, I explained why I am refraining from clicking on the “like” button on social media. He responded to one of my recent postings on FaceBook, stating that if people didn’t have the “like” button, they would post less. My response is , “yes!” which is exactly why the “like” option is placed on every post and on every comment.
The creators and execs at FaceBook (and other social media platforms) rely on people returning often to check out their notifications, thereby creating, enhancing and updating an algorithm that provides information about how to advertise to that individual. One might say, “Well, I will simply ignore the adverts and make up my own mind.” This capability to ignore adverts may be true, but it doesn’t address the very fact that the algorithm also controls who one sees, the frequency and sometimes the order in which one sees it..a very difficult thing to ignore or manage and requires the same time and effort as individually seeking out friends as one might do in face to face interactions.
After watching The Social Dilemma, I came to the awareness, in a sort of Marxist framework, that by buying into the “like” option, I become an instrument of social media production. In fact, become the product itself, which by it’s very nature makes me consumable and expendable to the consumer. I didn’t like that at all.
My purpose in refraining from clicking “likes” is my personal rebellion and revolution against the capitalistic methods which FaceBook and other social media platforms use to direct my behavior through their advertising schemes.
Over the past four years I have certainly discovered that the more people see friends and family beach cleaning on Facebook the more other people get into it. When I was at work I just saw social media as the way kids couldn't escape bullying 24/7, the way vulnerable kids could be groomed and exploited, the way kids were being exposed to porn and violence in homes with no limits etc. I was very anti. Now I am singing it's praises as a way of bringing people together beach cleaning. When I was at work I saw loads of socially isolated people. Social media has made it easy to create an inclusive community beach cleaning group that has been accessed by people who were otherwise isolated. I've had young offenders working on the beach who described feeling more of a sense of purpose protecting marine life from plastics than they were getting on other community service activities. Social media can do great harm and it can do good. I am less certain what I feel about it now.
@earl-of-trumps saidSometimes fb helps keeping family and friends together - it doesn't have to be more than that. I know it can do a lot of harm but in the micro world fb can do good too.
@hakima
"Dear hakima"... Just say no to facebook.
PS: I "liked" the OP
To be clear, I do not object to the human need for validation and acceptance. As a social worker, that is effectively what I provide in the work that I do. What I do object to is the way that social media use that essential human need for capitalist gain and profit, leaving humans with the illusion that their need is met in such a way that it requires us coming back to an environment where we are consuming each other.
We are our own addiction. We are our own opiate. I believe Karl Marx clearly predicted this.
@hakima saidTL;DNR
In a conversation with a friend, I explained why I am refraining from clicking on the “like” button on social media. He responded to one of my recent postings on FaceBook, stating that if people didn’t have the “like” button, they would post less. My response is , “yes!” which is exactly why the “like” option is placed on every post and on every comment.
The creators and e ...[text shortened]... rms use to direct my behavior through their advertising schemes.
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@hakima We are our own addiction. We are our own opiate. I believe Karl Marx clearly predicted this.
Twue dat!