[austincheney]

> What happened?

Consolidation. Surfing the web used to be about discovery. I was into digital art back then and there were so many emerging artists with exciting personal sites. You actual found things through page links whether directly or though things like web rings.

Now I visit a couple of sites routinely and ignore everything else. HN is the closet I come to social media.

[mattoxic]

Agree totally - though I do very much enjoy the occasional long wikipedia tour. For millions, Facebook is the internet, there is nothing beyond. Sad.

[encom]

This is the case for my mother. Facebook has her thoroughly filter bubbled, and it's sad and worrying. I don't know how to wean her off the Facebook brain-rot. Her ipad is Facebook, and Facebook is the internet.

She recently told me she wouldn't get a flu shot this year, and I know where she got that idea. I got mad, and gave her a lecture about the insane anti-vax people, and the many ways in which their beliefs are complete bullshit.

But my anger wasn't at her, but rather frustration that Facebook might indirectly cost her her life.

Some days I feel like null routing Facebook on her router. I won't do that of course, because it's not my job to interfere with her choices. But I'm becoming increasingly concerned.

[xwdv]

Do it.

[therealx]

You aren't alone. My Mom went full on conspiracy with FB. She was always a little nutty, but its let her take it to a new level. I once told her "You better not make me watch you die over this (antivaxx/antidoctor)"

[the_only_law]

It's so weird. My father on facebook and my father when I talk to him myself seem like very, very different people.