[emteycz]

But why would I? It's not like they took something from me. I am the lord of my destiny.

And how is it in any way different from the same people telling me this stuff at a pub? I don't think social media has anything to do with this.

[coldtea]

Social status and the satisfaction (or lack thereof) derived from it are relative. This has been studied and hammered on again and again, not to mention the entirety of human history (and tons of lucrative rackets) attest to it.

And being "the lord of your destiny" is already not applicable to most people, except in an abstract, meaningless sense that a person can always decide for themselves. That doesn't mean they can wish reality away. (E.g. "Yeah, I have $200K in student debt, no job prospects after looking for 10 months, and my spouse got sick, but I can do whatever I decide").

[emteycz]

If these people think they're the only ones with problems and other people's lives are problem-free, well that's the issue. Not even the most accomplished person has a smooth ride.

[coldtea]

That's kind of the whole point: social media presents you with a highlight of the smooth ride scenarios in people's lives (and even those, made to appear even fancier with all kinds of tricks and cutting out of "behind the scenes" context).

And rationally being aware of this doesn't help either: you still get the raw first experience at an emotional level.

[alickz]

>But why would I? It's not like they took something from me. I am the lord of my destiny.

Envy. You can be genuinely happy for them, but then be sad that your life isn't going as well. I think this compounded by the idea that a lot of people don't feel like the lords of their destiny, more leaves in a river unable to fight the currents.

Which of course adds to the stress of "Why can't I be better and more like [friend]?". Which may or may not lead to productive self-reflection (more likely not in my experience)

>And how is it in any way different from the same people telling me this stuff at a pub? I don't think social media has anything to do with this.

Scale, I would imagine. If it was one or two friends I think it's easier to rationalise, but when you see friends-of-friends and celebrities "living their best life", every day, while you struggle to keep your head above water, it takes a toll.

[k_sze]

Maybe you’re lucky to not be plagued by inferiority complex and/or impostor syndrome.

[emteycz]

Perhaps, but then why blame social media and not these disorders?

[k_sze]

I believe the argument would be that social media exacerbates the problem.

[emteycz]

But does it exacerbate the problem more than other ways of social interaction?

As opposed to a real life social interaction, I can simply hit Unfollow on Facebook (so we stay Friends but I don't see your posts unless I look for them)...

[k_sze]

Maybe social media gives you a much more concentrated feed of things that can trigger your inferiority complex, compared to normal, real-life social interactions?

And if you have to resort to unfollowing, you’re basically agreeing that it’s a problem.

[emteycz]

I don't see how that proves anything specific to social media, I'm "unfollowing" people IRL all the time, it's not like I want to hear everything someone has to say, especially not if it makes me sad.