Attention Media ≠ Social Networks (susam.net)

Article summary

The article discusses how social networks have changed over time, becoming more focused on capturing attention rather than facilitating genuine social interactions. The author reminisces about the early days of social networking, where users could follow people they knew or liked and receive meaningful updates. However, with the introduction of infinite scroll and bogus notifications, social networks have become attention media, prioritizing engagement over user experience. The author finds solace in alternative platforms like Mastodon, which offers a more traditional social networking experience.

Main themes

• social media evolution
• attention economy
• online communities
• algorithmic feeds
• advertising effectiveness
• data privacy
• platform customization

What commenters say

• Some users feel that Facebook's algorithm prioritizes irrelevant content over posts from friends and family, making the platform less useful.
• Others argue that Facebook is still a valuable tool for specific purposes, such as messaging with older relatives or participating in niche communities.
• The effectiveness of Facebook's advertising targeting is questioned, with some users receiving irrelevant ads despite the platform's claims of sophisticated analytics.
• A few commenters note that people who claim to not use Facebook often still have an account and occasionally log in, suggesting that the platform still has some value to them.
• There is disagreement over the definition of a 'vegetarian' and how it relates to eating fish or other animal products.
• Some users appreciate the ability to control their online presence and prefer platforms that allow for more customization and control over their feed.
• The idea that Facebook is 'dead' or only used by 'dopamine junkies and bots' is disputed by users who find value in the platform for specific purposes.
• The importance of data privacy and the potential risks of targeted advertising are also discussed.