It is ironic since I make social media videos…
But personally, I stopped using most, not all, apps a few years ago.
For instance I don’t use Linkedin, Facebook or Instagram… Why?
Linkedin is an automated bot farm. I know a few companies which have automated their employee profiles. Don’t ask me how I know this… Companies bot their social feed for SEO and image.
This is why you see Phil, 62, who doesn’t use social media, suddenly post “Amazing day today with the sales team”…
A similar thing happened to Facebook. Developers automate pages that generate clickbait content, once the page gets enough likes they sell them to medium sized companies for SEO (beating the small 10-50-person teams).
What X (previously Twitter) done has stopped a tremendous amount of the bots by implementing a paid membership, not only that, they charge for their API usuage which stops botting strategies.
Forever scrolling
This scroll mechanism is the bell ring for our dopamine.
You will watch one video, and 2 hours have gone by from scrolling. Even if it’s supposed to be intellectually stimulating, after watching many consecutively, you don’t actualise any of the info, you “feel” as if you do.
Series to majors
I don’t watch every esport but I watch the majors. The same goes for the world cup, UFC Championships, The Superbowl, heck the Quidditch Champions.
For example, football is never-ending. You’re locked in forever, not a season, for eternity. You never stop ascending because there is always more of it.
Watch the big events, not the infinite series.
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
How to limit your chosen platforms
The war for your attention cannot be entirely defended by reducing your apps, obviously, it is up to you to regulate your time on the platforms you use however with fewer attention invasions, you know what ones to work on.
Block JavaScript. Use a Google Extension to do this or use your browser’s JavaScript switch. This is a great start. It allows you to consume in the morning and evening but reclaim the day for yourself.