I’m on #Threads and if you are too follow me there so I can follow you back please! I’d prefer to keep all the mainstream random people out of my feed 😭
@mariyadelano your posts on how the app made you feel were really enlightening. I am sad that another social media platform is out that amplifies these insecurities and this behaviour of performing. I’m glad you were self-aware enough to see what is happening and to make positive choices for yourself. Wishing you all the best, some time away from that thing, and many more cat cuddles
Are you working in one of those ‘social media manager’ roles? And why announce it here when a majority are decided they won’t be federating with Threads at all?
@mariyadelano "But yes this is literal first hours post launch so we can give them some benefit of the doubt."
Speaking as someone with 40 years in software - no. No, we really don't. This whole thing is being created by people who already have experience doing social networks. There is no new ground being broken here. Having the same problems Twitter did in 2006 is a condemnation, not a pass.
@mariyadelano The problems you're describing aren't "rushed", they're "half-assed it". Ugh. My sense of craftsmanship is already outraged, and I'm not even on the site :)
@mariyadelano thank you for this…thread. Between your observations & the incredible amount of data they collect on you, I deleted the app without even opening it.
I only downloaded it because two of my favourite #DogsOfTwitter accounts decided they’d move there…I hadn’t opened it yet because of how anxious Instagram makes me feel.
Culture - this is what’s really obvious. I did not miss the insecurity of mainstream social media.
I’ve been on this thing for an hour and my self esteem is already dropping because I see big influencers with tons of engagement talking about notifications blowing up and I feel like I need to be proving to people that I’m not a “nobody”.
It feels so performative and status-driven already. And the posts people are making are trying to get max engagement
Because this is exactly the skinner-box they want you to be in, because the point of this exercise is to get people to Perform, so they can get more eyeballs, to (allegedly) drive advertising revenue.
We all know exactly where this leads, only this time it's not an accident tripped into, it's The Plan. Save your sanity, just say no.
@ggainey I can’t because it’s my literal job to be on top of these things. But for most normal users yeah… maybe stay away if you’re prone to being insecure over this stuff
@mariyadelano " it’s my literal job to be on top of these things" - oh, I know, I know. And believe me, I am so, so sorry. I apologize on behalf of my entire industry.
I studied computers and went into industry because I honestly believed computers would make human society better - but, here we are. :(
I literally broke down crying because it felt so sharply like Instagram and Facebook used to when I was a teenager and would see all the popular kids getting more likes and comments and followers than I ever could because I had basically no friends.
I am an adult with a great marriage, wonderful friendships, a job I love, and even a fucking decent social media following on other apps.
This made me feel a lack that didn’t exist yesterday.
Aw, that’s not okay. 🙁 You don’t deserve to feel like that. This whole social-clout-via-algorithmic-manipulation thing is so destructive to our sense of self. Especially for those of us who left much pain behind in high school…
Time to cuddle your cat and remember that tomorrow is another day. Take care of yourself tonight. There are lots of us rooting for you. (I’m rarely on IG, but I’ll join Threads just so I can follow you there.) 🫶
@KimberlyN thank you! Honestly leaning into that insecurity and writing it out here made it clear how much of that wasn’t actually me but the way these apps are designed. They feed on insecurity 🥲
They definitely do. It’s not you. These apps are designed to keep people chasing the dopamine high provided by the engagement. It’s not healthy. We need to figure out better ways to connect authentically — that’s what I love about Mastodon. It just feels better here.
He has always been very good at making apps that make you feel social hierarchies where there shouldn’t be any. He’s always been good at making apps that dig into your insecurities and make you feel worthless. Apps that make you keep scrolling because you keep hoping you’ll find that golden ticket to becoming part of the “it” crowd.
But the game is rigged. He runs the fucking casino
@mariyadelano I mean, the original version of Facebook was a website that simply let you rate fellow students based on appearance. It’s literally in their DNA to be skeevy.
@mariyadelano in case it makes your day a little better this series of toots about threads was very instructive. Enough for me not to be tempted to try it after cross referencing with other toots. Thank you a lot! 💪
@mariyadelano Beautiful kitty! Sometimes I think they're better off than us because they're completely unaware of all the social media drama. Napping in a sunbeam does sound so much better as a life choice!
@mariyadelano thank you for being so honest in your observations. As a society I really wonder how we are going to confront this harmful influence in our lives. It’s especially bad for kids who are forming their identities. And your cat is gorgeous
I'm really glad someone else said this because it's been my thought ever since Threads became known. I don't even have instagram, and starting new accounts from scratch is intimidating. And at times, defeating.
@mariyadelano As someone who is and always has been an outsider, I have never understood the desire to follow someone who is just famous, some even who are famous for being famous.
What do these people offer? I follow people mostly for their insightful comments, but definitely not for their glamour or dramas.
@traumkaempfer I follow famous people only when I like their work. Like I follow my favorite band on Instagram because they are a special interest and I like knowing everything about them 😅
@NikaShilobod mastodon and the fedi will always have my heart and soul. This is is the only social network where I feel like I can be myself and see other people for what they genuinely enjoy and like doing
@mariyadelano I followed you because of your wonderfully clear writing about Ukraine and Russia and kept following because I know when I see your writing it's grounded in your experience and your heart. Threads like this that combine very practical observations along with how you feel are very satisfying because they are so NOT performative! Anyways, thanks for being you.
@stepheneb@NikaShilobod thank you so much for saying this! Honestly opening my Mastodon notifications has been the best way to keep myself sane and remember that the performative dance is just that.
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