[yorpinn]

I've deleted my accounts too (HN obviously notwithstanding) but telling people they should disengage with their family because they don't need that information is patronizing and undermines your point. They get to decide what they need.

[Bluestein]

... yet I respectfully think the above point still stands, "people need not get even that family info via Zuck's brain-grinder".-

[yorpinn]

You need not get that information. Other people have different needs and priorities. What if the reason they are so concerned about getting updates on this kid is that they have serious medical issues? What if it brings a ray of sunshine on stressful days to see pictures of them? What if missing these updates means missing family functions and becoming more isolated and lonely? (Note that they confirmed my last speculation.)

What if, instead of berating people for using social media, we discussed how we might build a healthier alternative?

[skydhash]

> What if, instead of berating people for using social media, we discussed how we might build a healthier alternative?

Why do we need to build one? Before the internet, we had letters and memos. The Email and IM came. The reason to have a feed is to share things, it shouldn't be for people to come consuming it. And there's no reason for it to be social. To have a special feed that mix everything from everyone on the platform according to "the algorithm"

No need to build something else. Blogs, Email, and IM are still here.

[yorpinn]

I think there's good parts of social media that are salvageable. I think it's generally good to be able to communicate with anyone and encounter people you otherwise wouldn't. I think we can have social media without having feeds optimized for "engagement" or any single metric. I think blogs and email are great, I just don't think they're the can-all-be-all.

[Bluestein]

> we discussed how we might build a healthier alternative?

Totally for that. We really need it.-

[yorpinn]

Welp, I ought to stand on business I suppose, I think social media communities are too big. I think it would be less toxic if we were balkanized into smaller communities, and interacted with people of unlike minds in a more considered and intentional way. As it is, it becomes a free for all for dunking on people. Small communities of like minds can become too insular, ideas need to be challenged, but they also need space to grow and develop in a friendly environment.

[Bluestein]

Wherein the balance, eh? Though nut to crack.-