Social media is changing our brains?

[Starbug]

https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/the-dark-side-of-social-media-baroness-susan-greenfield-says-social-media-is-rewiring-our-brains/news-story/480b43a510ccb79dfa09636bf5e4c0fe

Professor Greenfield, who is also a member of the British upper house, says the hyper-connectedness of today’s youth gives them shorter attention spans and makes them more narcissistic, more susceptible to depression and anxiety, and less empathetic.

It's very possible. She's been pilloried by others on both left and right for saying this.

I think it's possible but the effects of this won't be visibly widespread for many years. What do you guys think? Scaremongering? Or is she right to express concern over children's interaction with social media?

[🔥MasterLord🔥]

Social media is cancer anyway, just like TV.

[Starbug]

Escrito originalmente por ⚡️MasterLord⚡:

Social media is cancer anyway, just like TV.

Well, umm, yes, that is the sort of thoughtful analysis I'd hoped this thread would prompt.

[Pharaoh (Revolution Idol)]

I've been thinking a lot lately about social media as a digital Skinner box.

Then again, they all said video games would turn my brain to mush too.

[secuda]

It sound plausibly.

[Starbug]

Escrito originalmente por JohnChronic420:

Then again, they all said video games would turn my brain to mush too.

That's the thing that gives pause for thought. Maybe this is just another version of that fear mongering.

[Pharaoh (Revolution Idol)]

The most concerning thing is algorithm based content imo.

That's when it makes the jump from being like an online database or encyclopedia to being something potentially much more sinister.

[BossGalaga]

Escrito originalmente por Starbug:

Professor Greenfield, who is also a member of the British upper house, says the hyper-connectedness of today’s youth gives them shorter attention spans and makes them more narcissistic, more susceptible to depression and anxiety, and less empathetic.

It's very possible. She's been pilloried by others on both left and right for saying this.

I think it's possible but the effects of this won't be visibly widespread for many years. What do you guys think? Scaremongering? Or is she right to express concern over children's interaction with social media?

Narcissistic dbags have existed for millenia. Social media can also introduce people to other cultures, lifestyles, foods, interests, hobbies, music, etc. Social media can also inform people about things that are going on in other parts of the world or their own country, injustice, disasters, atrocities, etc. Social media can also inform people of the past, things they may not be exposed to in a watered down history class where the most important thing is to memorize dates.

You could apply the same dire warnings for the introduction of mass printing, disposable cameras and the internet.

[Pharaoh (Revolution Idol)]

Escrito originalmente por BossGalaga:

Social media can also introduce people to other cultures, lifestyles, foods, interests, hobbies, music, etc. Social media can also inform people about things that are going on in other parts of the world or their own country, injustice, disasters, atrocities, etc. Social media can also inform people of the past, things they may not be exposed to in a watered down history class where the most important thing is to memorize dates.

It could also be an incredibly powerful tool for controlling people's outlook on all those subjects if misused.

Something to think about with all the censorship going on. A book burning is just a keystroke away in the digital age.

[Ⓥenom Ⓢnake 🐍]

Social media is definitely doing something very not to good to people's brains. It gives people immediate access to people that think the way they do. It leads to not one person standing on a soapbox, thousands upon thousands, and a very large number of them operate completely with blinders on because they don't feel a need to learn and or change.

It used to be when you finally learn something new through effort on your own cart, you would feel a sort of accomplishment. But why do you have to put forth effort and better yourself when all you have to do is go online and find people that think the same way you do. It's creating generations at this point of willful ignorance. Their developmental thought processes are, at least from my particular point of view, are entirely crosswired at this point. And it doesn't help that so many of these social media "celebs" rapidly push us in horrible directions.

I think the wake up sheeple saying is incredibly stupid. But I also find it become more and more the social Norm then just scattered groups.

*Sigh* and people wonder why I can't wait for the world to burn.

[BanOphobia My Struggle]

Advanced never forget super fast algorithmic manipulation vs my tiny forgetful human brain. I feel better having closed all my accounts except YT.

[L1qu1dator]

Professor Greenfield, who is also a member of the British upper house, says the hyper-connectedness of today’s youth gives them shorter attention spans and makes them more narcissistic, more susceptible to depression and anxiety, and less empathetic.

I'd say these symptoms are already visible.

[Gus the Crocodile]

Everything changes our brains.

[Chimp Factory [M04]]

https://news.utexas.edu/2017/06/26/the-mere-presence-of-your-smartphone-reduces-brain-power/

Too many people are being spoiled by improper use and over-reliance on certain technology.

People have become too reliant on it; instead of working through the problem its mostly just 'Go google it, don't think', the magic 8ball brick will spit out an answer

Instant gratification, useful information swamped by junk and noise, constant reminders to check it lest you feel left out, when you do check it you feel left out by what others may be doing half a world away; many issues with it, and I am only scratching the surface.

Each tool has its purpose, and I believe some are being abused or misused on a regular basis.

[ゆのーさん]

this isnt a suprise

[Electric Cupcake]

I'm a total misanthrope and borderline hikikomori and I've been saying that for years. Social media is trash.

Nothing good comes of "likes" and "upvotes" and associated dopamine and society contracting into validating and reinforcing echo chambers.