Drawing the Line
With Social Media
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Lately, when I open my computer I see images that are fully fabricated silliness. Mainly what Facebook shows me is AI-generated cabins with hilarious issues like a roaring fire in the gas range oven, or a stovepipe that goes nowhere. What’s scary to me is that they’re presented as real places, and people seem to be buying it.
I’ve made all of the pictures in this post using AI
I Like Computers
I’m a big fan of technology. I enjoy exploring new functions and am fairly good with computers. Not super good, you won’t see me writing code but I like knowing how things work and creating content and spreadsheets. That said, I do feel that social media has overstepped.
Most of us check our digital worlds as soon as we wake up. Before our feet touch the floor, we begin taking in information. It’s easy to justify having our smartphones nearby most of the time. They’re a multi-tool, doing everything from keeping a calendar to banking, fitness, and more. Though they’re a handy tool, I think that they’ve become intrusive and detrimental. It’s becoming a real problem.
What is AI Art?
Artificial Intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence by machines. Using complex software and data, computer programmers have made systems that generate ‘artful’ images. It’s all very cool! In some ways, it's a bit funny. If you like to draw, you know that the human hand is tricky - AI art still hasn’t figured it out either.
I’m not sure why these false images freak me out so much. Maybe because I spend lots of time away from society, it worries me that people believe them. To me, the real world is impressive enough without being elaborated beyond recognition. It takes away from the awesomeness of reality and it also spreads misinformation.
The Algorithms
You google something and suddenly it’s everywhere. Or you look at a Facebook post and now your feed is full of it. It’s the farthest thing from a coincidence. Even your smart TV is doing it. Algorithms decide which post to show you first from your friends.
Computers are making choices that influence our lives.
An algorithm is a list of steps to solve a problem or perform a task. It’s simply a computer program which takes in information and does something with it. Similar to math formulas from high school. There are different types of algorithms performing all kinds of different tasks. Sorting, Searching, Solving, Categorizing.
Social media and advertising use algorithms to figure us out. What our interests are, if people like us, who our friends and family are, and what we like to do for fun. It uses everything we give it and how we behave online to determine what it’ll show us next. I didn’t think it was entirely a bad thing..
Until I realized, I’ve been pigeonholed by a computer.
Elaborated People and Expectations
The god-like algorithms have tapped into which type of post is most likely to draw us in. The beautiful, the contentious, the evocative. If you’re attractive, or take pictures of attractive things, your posts will be favoured. It’s something I touched on in ‘Why I Share Selfies’. Computers are choosing what we are shown based on what gets a reaction and keeps us online longer. Is there any wonder that the internet seems to be full of turmoil? It’s not people’s fault.
People have gotten tired of hearing that advertising is to blame - but it is.
Social media is an absolute gold mine for advertisers. Not only do we provide them with our information, but we give them our attention. Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, none of them are public services, they’re businesses. At the end of the day, they exist to make money and their revenues come from advertising.
Too Much Stimulus
Companies, algorithms, and individuals are all competing for attention in a flooded digital landscape. They play dirty. Often using a sense of urgency to pertain to our instincts. As people, most of us like to fix things and solve problems, and urgency draws us in like moths. Creators ( like myself, I guess?) also know, there needs to be a ‘hook’.
In my opinion, it’s too much of an emotional roller coaster. We can handle it intellectually, but what about emotionally? Between content creators trying to get our attention with drama and real friends sharing their lives - there’s too much emotional stimulus. Having feelings and empathy is important, but overwhelming ourselves isn’t worth it.
The Line
I feel that it’s good to remember that social media is a tool. It’s useful for many things. Community, marketplaces, learning, and more. As someone who creates content, finding my own line is tricky and something I’m still working on. I used to view social media as simply an honest business, trying to hold our attention for the sake of advertising.
Nothing more than that.
Lately, it seems downright nefarious. Using AI-generated images of nonsense, giving preference to divisiveness and drama, and pigeonholing us for the sake of advertising. Being mindful of where we put our attention is important. I refuse to be pigeonholed and manipulated by advertisers looking to steal my time, money and peace. It’s a big industry and though we can’t change it - we control how it affects us.
Well said. I make a point to not open my phone until I center, ease into the day, and get things done. I fight like hell against ads, 'reporting' them all, muting them on Alexa and YouTube, etc. Thanks for what you share! ....Mark in Escalante, Utah.
Great read.
So true on so many levels.