American's wierd feelings about social media

I was watching Meet the Press and Chuck Todd talked about data having to do with American's feelings toward tech and also social media. The data revealed that we have in general good feelings towards Amazon,Google,Apple. But now go to feelings about social media and the feelings are not so good: the data said that only 24% of American's have a positve feeling towards Twitter and 36% good feelings towards Facebook.

The list of the negatives were that 55% percent belive that these social media platforms spread lies and flasehoods. 61 percent believe they spread unfair attacks and rumors, 57 percent say the platforms divide us, and what shocked me was 82% believe its a waste of time.

But get this 69% of American's use social media at least once a day.

WHydo we participate in such a destrcutive platform? Or at least if we believe it is a destructive platform why do we participate in it??

a reply to: American-philosopher

Because people are stupid.

a reply to: American-philosopher

97.3% of Americans use social media for 2 things.

Amusing memes.

Side boob pics.

originally posted by: American-philosopher
I was watching Meet the Press and Chuck Todd talked about data having to do with American's feelings toward tech and also social media. The data revealed that we have in general good feelings towards Amazon,Google,Apple. But now go to feelings about social media and the feelings are not so good: the data said that only 24% of American's have a positve feeling towards Twitter and 36% good feelings towards Facebook.

The list of the negatives were that 55% percent belive that these social media platforms spread lies and flasehoods. 61 percent believe they spread unfair attacks and rumors, 57 percent say the platforms divide us, and what shocked me was 82% believe its a waste of time.

But get this 69% of American's use social media at least once a day.

WHydo we participate in such a destrcutive platform? Or at least if we believe it is a destructive platform why do we participate in it??

88% of all threads here on ATS are destructive. social media shows the reality of our species: maybe 15% are arseholes. but most people around the globe use social media to connect with others and make new friends.

Because likes and notifications stimulate the same area of the brain that gambling/drugs/alcohol do. In other words...its an addiction.

a reply to: lakenheath24

dopamine hit.

This message board likely qualifies I think. The more star and flags you receive, the more dopamine hits you get.

I was only on facebook for one thing, that was to help save shelter animals. But the place is TOXIC. I finally pulled my profile for my own well being.

a reply to: toolgal462

Deffo! I peek at mine sometimes. Eta....all the time actually. Peeps wanna be popular ya know. Lol

I only use FB for the forums now. Mostly car stuff and for sale boards.

But get this 69% of American's use social media at least once a day.

I believe it is ego and/or a sense of belonging...and now-a-days even addiction perhaps, literally.

a reply to: toolgal462

Heres a study on the dopamine effect. Even FB designers knew what it would do. The feedback loop.


sitn.hms.harvard.edu...

a reply to: American-philosopher
I can only speak for myself but FB is a fantastic resource for my family and friends to keep in touch, I use it more than ATS.
Need something? One post will ask all your friends at once, and then you have group chat which is brilliant.
Most of my circle don't use our real names, just nicknames, and everything I post I'll tell anyone in public so if there was a data breach I wouldn't give a toss.

To the member who thinks FB users are stupid I say no more than ATS users are, I even prefer arguing with trolls on local FB pages because when they go all keyboard warrior I can invite them to a local pub to discuss it further lol.
Unlike ATS where everyone is anonymous and mods censor as they wish...so if you cry dopamine over likes on FB it's no different to stars on ATS.
At least on FB you know who clicked like.

Now that ATS has gone all in for trump, I find myself going to social media for an actual "fair and balanced" opinion source.

a reply to: American-philosopher

And this is the problem with any kind of poll in today's world. The subjective answers are what people think they should say based on perceived popular opinion. The administrative questions are probably answered the most honestly.

"Do you trust social media?"
No, its divisive and destructive and it hurts people and we should all hug and sing cumbaya"

"Do you use social media"
"Oh yea, every day..."

a reply to: American-philosopher

We are social creatures and like it or not...generally sheep. We crave attention, adoration, acceptability, admiration, connection, synergy, and most of, that we belong.

What used to be community amongst going outside and meeting people, it is replaced with feeling that via social media. We can expand our spheres to not just our neighbors, but across a continent or even an ocean.

originally posted by: lakenheath24
a reply to: toolgal462

Heres a study on the dopamine effect. Even FB designers knew what it would do. The feedback loop.


sitn.hms.harvard.edu...

Tucker Carlson has spoken about it a few times. He says that all the tech giants don't allow their own children to use their products because they know how bad it is for kids. They don't allow them iphones or ipads.

Social Media has definitely had a detrimental effect on the young mostly.

Now that you mention it, I do miss facebook for my Tool groups and garden/old home groups and the local sale pages!

FB is an online resource which if used sensibly cannot really be beaten yet, only post what you don't care if there was a data breach.

Recently I wanted to go to a musical and knew none of my male mates would want to come so shouted on FB. Within minutes I had multiple offers from girlfriends then even free tickets for the show from another friend who works in the industry.
Prior to FB I would have had to make multiple phone calls [/yawn]

If there is a gig or event/gathering coming up then everyone knows about it, all sorts of great uses for keeping in touch and assisting with real life social group activities.
I don't care what FB knows about me from my posts and messages...anything secret is still done face to face.

originally posted by: olaru12
Now that ATS has gone all in for trump, I find myself going to social media for an actual "fair and balanced" opinion source.

I'm sure you are a star there. I bet you unfriend those who dare say anything positive about the "Orange Hitler".

a reply to: American-philosopher

"use" social media means to log in and check up on things.

I think people are monitoring stuff more than they used to. People are aware of the game being played.

a reply to: ownbestenemy

Today is Sunday, so I identify as a Golden Retriever.

But to your point...i did not go all ape poo when we went to grandmas house. Even though she liked me.

Let's see, I have been using Facebook for over a year now. No lies have been spread by my friends. Lots of jokes and pictures of their trips, pictures at concerts, reviews about the food at restaurants, pictures of cats and dogs doing stupid things, and lots of pictures of old cars from some that like sixties cars.

No lies, some parroting of fake news occasionally, but mostly just people joking and showing off what they did on vacation. At least the new age people do not have to go look at slides and movies at people's house after they got back from trips. We can sit in the comfort of our own homes and watch what people post. No free coffee and cookies now though, you have to make your own.

I think the lies are on MSM, but of course, MSM has people to deflect this to make it appear that those on Facebook are causing all the bad stuff. Nothing usually seems to happen on facebook, people are using their own name, everyone knows who you are.

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: American-philosopher

97.3% of Americans use social media for 2 things.

Amusing memes.

Side boob pics.

What? How come I never see any Side boob pics? I must be in the wrong group of people.