I'm not talking about its user base, because those numbers are huge. I'm referring to mainly the user engagement across platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Curated news feeds are no longer compelling, they're filled with ads and sponsors targeted towards the content you click on and like the most. We can choose what we want to see on our feeds now, and if we don't like it, we simply tell the algorithm to stop sending us similar content. Done. All of our messaging and online communication staples have been established for a while now, with nothing new to shake up the internet in years. Everyone can see everything now because most of us are connected, so the information doesn't feel intimate, and we're less likely to respond to a post because we're not sure what kind of reaction we'll get. On top of that, everyone is constantly reposting the same vine, the same buzzfeed post, the same meme, the same pop song...


What's the point to it all? What's the next "thing" coming up on the horizon?

Teen hottie pop forums will be next

You mean like ATRL? Idk, I feel like there's always going to be an audience for pop music fans and chart followers, even as we're bombarded with more and more information. At least, that's what I hope.

ANTi-social-network

coz all I do is lurk

Hm, yes this is true too. It might be because I've been on it for so long now, that the novelty of using them has worn off considerably. I have little cousins and my grandma who get a kick out of sharing things and looking at photos on Facebook, which is kinda cute to see.

All of this.

Is it normal that I'm against social media? And what it has done to society? For me, I don't know if I'm glad or what, that I haven't been sucked into that.. (?)

I haven't have a cell phone in 3.5 years, and I've been good without it. I look at what's in front of me. I learn the hard way, literally, instead of getting simple answer from the phone (let's just say I need a map.. I would rather get lost and actually learn then to find it right away on my phone and more than likely won't learn)

I hate how we are so dependant on the Internet. We hear so many people that are addicted to the Internet. And it's sad to think that people aren't able to NOT have their phones in their hands. How we resort to having a phone box (everyone at the table put their phones in a box during dinner)
When I went to a concert, I went thru the metal detector, the security said put everything in the little box and they inspect it. So I did, and the first thing they asked me is "where's your phone" like it was assumed everyone should have one. They didn't believe me, so they actually searched me for a stupid cell phone..

Every website you go to asks you for a cell phone when you sign up, and at the very bottom in little font, it says "or sign up via email"

We have assumed that everyone has a cell phone. you hear it everywhere. Tv shows. Scripted or not scripted. Websites, reality, your friends, your family, your job. Everyone. You know I lost 90% of my hours at my jobs because they couldn't get a hold of me to cover a shift that someone didn't show up for, they got mad at ME for not being reliable enough because I had no cell phone. Because of that "reason" I quit that job.

I don't use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or snapchat. I just can't understand how people share their life like that rather in person. I just can't. I'm only 23 years old, I hope I'm not the only one who thinks like this

(Sorry for bitching and complaining and for rushing this, I had to type really quickly so it may not make any sense lol)

I mean you're not necessary alone in the social media aspects since some people don't really see the point. But do you not even at least have a telephone at home to call? The benefit of technology and the internet is that it can improve our lives and connect us all together. It been that way since mail/letters was invented.

No, Snapchat is getting bigger and Instagram is still going strong

Dude I know exactly how you feel. I didn't upgrade to a smart phone until a year ago, because I would rather pay for something so trivial myself (it was useful for work though). After having my phone, I can say I could comfortably go back to just rocking a flip phone though. I'm not really one to constantly check my texts and messages, and I consider it more of a distraction than a convenience these days. My friends think I'm a Luddite though because I refuse to get a Venmo account.

I have no social media sites apart from Linked In. I have Twitter but it's not in my name, nor is it attached to my email address. Anyone who does is stupid. Remember, everything you post online is there forever, whether you delete it or not. I've got a career to think about.

This.

Except I don't even have a twitter.

those are picture sharing applications.. not really social.

No. I don't have a phone at home. I did, but I used it less and less. The only thing I have is my iPod with one of those apps, that my boss uses to contact me. But I barely even use it anymore. I told my boss my stance on technology. And they completely understood. I told them I'm such a reliable person, who always shows up to work early, and because I told them that (which is the truth) I get more hours at work more than anybody. I have never called in sick since the day I first started working at the age of 14. (I have a excellent immune system and I always sucked up when I had the flu or had a cold). My consistency to show up at work made me boss realize that I should be full time, instead of others who pull no shows and then having to call in people. This is all because of my last encounter with the job I had before.

Personally I just like to be around people in person and talk to them that way. Wait till I see them next time to tell them the hot gossip, lol, instead of texting them. (Btw to answer your question.. I either make plans in person to hang out with them the next time AND the app that I have that I barely use I will either get a text or something asking to hang out and I'll reply that way.. Doesn't mean I use that app constantly tho)

One of the bigger issues I have with communication thru text is the tone. Someone could type something down, and it could be the most innocent thing. But someone who is reading it, reads it in their mind with a whole other attitude or tone. You know what I mean? (Ie. Memes that say 'I add a lol at the end so it doesn't sound bitchy')

And I just refuse to pay for a cell phone. Something else I have to pay for. I pay for student loans, healthy food, clothing, my 4 household bills, my rent, my insurance. I just don't need another bill for something I find so pointless. Just like my job before, it's almost like a law that everyone should have a cell phone because they'll get mad if they don't have one, or get fusturated or whatever it may be

Err, snapchat is very social unless all you do is stare at people stories all day. You can text someone on it (Through the text function, or through pictures). You can video chat as well. Being mostly for picture or video sharing doesn't exclude anything from being social media especially when they enable the ability for social networking.

I see

I think the novelty is dying down. Now it's just a part of everyday life.


For me at least, I only post on FB and IG out of habit. I don't really see the point in snapchat for me, I just follow people but I hardly ever post my own snaps.

Anyone here use Slack? Thoughts on its usefulness for collaborative work and projects?

Ugh we could literally be best friends if we lived near each other

I switched from my flip-phone last year to a very basic smartphone, and I really don't use it much. I use my Kindle a lot more, since I enjoy reading.