[raulk]

Certain features of social networks like likes, reactions, recommendations, etc. trigger micro-dopamine releases in the brain, which in turn keep the individual craving for more.

The infinity scrolling appeals to our hunger for more and more stimuli, which in turn has us spend more time browsing the network. That longer exposure allows FB to monetise even further.

One thing that worries me – and it's not discussed in the article – is the loss of productivity, as well as cost of the opportunity for the individual.

In fact, individuals who become addicted to social networks may carry a psychological cost as well, which in turn reflects on the productivity of the individual inside the global economy system.

You could argue that time spent on Facebook would've been spent on other leisure activities anyway. But is it true? Much of this time is now spent due to compulsive behaviour, every 5 minutes, 10 minutes, as soon as you wake up, before going to bed, etc.

[Clubber]

An individual does not owe the world 100% productivity. An individual doesn't owe the world any productivity. The only time an individual owes productivity is when there is an agreement for services in exchange for money or something else of value.

People commonly use productivity to try to quantify something in dollars, but it's always struck a nerve. It seems like when using that argument, the arguer assumes the world is owed any type of productivity by nature.

In your argument, you say you are worried that Facebook use results in a loss of productivity, as if the world is owed productivity. It is not. I'm not criticizing you, it's a common argument, but it is based on a misconception. If a person wants to spend almost all their time reading Facebook, or reading literature, as long as they are neutral with the system (pay for themselves in some way), that's perfectly fine.

[tareqak]

I understand both your view (the worth of an individual is more than simply the net productive output of said individual), and the view that you are replying to (the loss to the world expressed in terms of systems thinking along some dimension).

I think you can actually reconcile both views in terms of happiness i.e. the global economy measured in terms of happiness generated. With this sort of model in mind, both you and person you are replying to can both be correct in that it is possible that social media is sub-optimal compared to some alternative that delivers some combination of increased immediate happiness and/or increased probability/reliability/sustainability of future happiness.

[Clubber]

Oh, the psychological effects of Facebook I'm certainly not arguing with. I would imagine there are some issues as there are some plusses. I'm not well versed in it because I dropped my account years ago, but my wife uses it to keep in touch with people and groups. Like anything, it depends on how it's used or how much it's used. I was just concerned with the concept of productivity cost as a measurement.

I think the Quality of Life indicator represents what you are talking about.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_of_life

[rrmm]

Depending on how you define productivity, holding a job causes a huge loss in productivity.

[Clubber]

You're absolutely right, that's a great point.

[MentatOnMelange]

This is anecdotal but I've noticed my time online is more 'productive' since quitting facebook. In places like waiting rooms, public transportation or general boredom the precise parts of the internet you use to waste time all serve a similar purpose (e.g to keep from staring into space mindlessly in the absence of other stimuli).

The greater productivity enters the picture because now I read things like hacker news and look up random things on the internet. This has lead to me learning useful skills and enough general knowledge to be helpful with different courses I've taken and small chat with people about their professions, interests etc.

Granted, there's the whole issue of people choosing their smartphone over interacting with the equally bored stranger next to them, but thats an entirely different problem.

[agumonkey]

I wonder if one day we'll celebrate the last router to be switched off.