for display only
Big Blue Interactive The Corner Forum  
Back to the Corner

Archived Thread

BBI and Social Media in General

SGMen : 3/6/2021 5:02 am
I joined BBI (Pete's Corner) during its first year or so of existence. Early on, I'd comment and discuss moreso than I do today MAINLY because it was more discussion and connection than what I see today.

What is it about Social Media that makes people so slanderous? So ugly?? So childlike???

I use various platforms on social media for "advertisement" and sharing so I am online quite a bit. The dribble I see in so many areas (aka bullying) by keyboard GIANTS saddens me. Simply put, what the heck happened to Critical Thinking and Discussion? Is the disconnect of social media the culprit?
People are ok telling lies  
section125 : 3/6/2021 6:00 am : link
and peddling BS as absolute truths. Their opinions are "facts" and you are foolish to dispute it.
Cannot go further, but it basically comes down to "voices" being able to lie and then condemn any form of disagreement by belittling and bullying those who disagree.

FYI, this thread will not stay for the reasons you stated.
RE: People are ok telling lies  
SGMen : 3/6/2021 6:11 am : link
In comment 15168094 section125 said:
Quote:
and peddling BS as absolute truths. Their opinions are "facts" and you are foolish to dispute it.
Cannot go further, but it basically comes down to "voices" being able to lie and then condemn any form of disagreement by belittling and bullying those who disagree.

FYI, this thread will not stay for the reasons you stated.
Perhaps, this is more of a "Psychological / Spiritual" assessment than anything like Politics or Religion which usually gets banned immediately.

I know some folks PERSONALLY that would NEVER speak to me directly in that fashion. I am just beginning to believe more and more and more that I should stick with reading books and socializing in person (I'm NJ so lockdowns make things tougher) than trying to figure out what is "Real" via Social Media (of any kind...).
I too am a long timer.....  
George from PA : 3/6/2021 6:19 am : link
People become less human and more empowered behind a keyboard.
, while being less tolerant and more sensitive....which leads to many hurt feelings and retribution.

I have thick skin....so I do not really care....and I also try hard to accept people opinion, not matter how ridiculous it might sound to me....so I try avoid direct confrontation.

Some must be trolls....as they just instigate and blabber nonsense.

Maturity matters and there is no age limit.

The Giants losing certainly doesn't help.

But for your own sanity....go with

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me😁
No consequences  
Sneakers O'toole : 3/6/2021 6:22 am : link
In person you might get F'ed up, online not so much. It starts there.
RE: No consequences  
jnoble : 3/6/2021 6:34 am : link
In comment 15168100 Sneakers O'toole said:
Quote:
In person you might get F'ed up, online not so much. It starts there.


Yep, pretty much this
In general  
Lines of Scrimmage : 3/6/2021 7:56 am : link
we have too much ego and entitlement in society imo which leads to most of the issues.

I'll try not to get too political  
USAF NYG Fan : 3/6/2021 8:13 am : link
The US in general seems to hold uneducated opinions in higher regard than educated or experienced ones. For example 97% - 98% of the world's climate scientists agree with the consensus on climate change but we allow, well paid, talking heads with no experience to sell a different take on it.

At some point we stopped looking to experts for answers and instead listen to the loudest person in the room. Social media gives everyone a platform. It always comes down to money and you get more money with more clicks, likes, subscribes, endorsements, etc. It use to be, "Money talks and bullshit walks". That was bad enough. However, now it's more like "Money talks". No bullshit, no facts, just money.

Reeling it back in; FB, Twitter, Reality TV, every major news outlet, and even BBI (any shared platform). It's all about spinning it so you are right and everyone else is wrong. However, this platform is especially about opinions. It's a fan forum. We shouldn't expect anything more than that tbh.
It's not about regarding  
pjcas18 : 3/6/2021 8:26 am : link
educated or uneducated opinions, it's about dissent.

People believe what they want, proven or not, due to confirmation bias and any other opinion is "miss information" or "conspiracy theories" or "incitement" and should be shut down or censored.

that's not how free people live. it's how communists live.

"I may not agree with what you say, but I sure as hell support your right to say it" - none of this stuff is fire in a movie theater, it's in many cases healthy dialog, but still gets shut down by arbitrary arbiters of "fact"

and as mentioned there is also the freedom of people to act or say whatever they want behind the anonymity of a keyboard with no consequences.

the two of those things merged and helped create the cesspool we see today.
same phenomenon as beer muscles  
Victor in CT : 3/6/2021 8:30 am : link
instead of alcohol, the anonymity makes people overly brave and obnoxious.
RE: In general  
eric2425ny : 3/6/2021 8:40 am : link
In comment 15168110 Lines of Scrimmage said:
Quote:
we have too much ego and entitlement in society imo which leads to most of the issues.


Totally agree with this statement.
....  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 3/6/2021 8:46 am : link
Anonymity. Most of us have no clue who other posters are; I could sit next to you @ a Giants game & neither of us would know who the other person is.
25 years of BBI  
X : 3/6/2021 8:49 am : link
an I posted maybe 25 times. Social media and online platforms are out of hand.



13 Things That Could Happen When You Quit Social Media - ( New Window )
It's sad and it's starting to permeate real life.  
Britt in VA : 3/6/2021 9:01 am : link
Probably will be our downfall as a society, ultimately.
This is the only SM site I’m on ... and sometimes it’s more like S&M.  
Spider56 : 3/6/2021 9:06 am : link
I’m here for breaking news, good rumors, insightful opinion and an occasional NFT funny. To me, reading about my heroes is meant to be a diversion. I have zero use for the negative opinions and ‘expert view’ offered by the usual suspects ... I try my best to ignore them and just move on.
If you think it is bad now...  
PA Aggie : 3/6/2021 9:12 am : link
Just wait until the current teens and 20-somethings get older.

I believe all the observations on this thread so far are accurate, how social media allows you to be someone who you are not, with virtually no consequences for even the most outrageous statements.

My kids, early to mid 20's, are social media crazy, as are most of their friends. It has completely absorbed their lives for the last 10+ years (likely my biggest failure as a parent). What are the results?

Less of an ability to communicate face to face.
Rock solid belief that Twitter has all the real news.
Dependence on others (strangers) to look for approval.
Lack of interest in any hobby, skill, or activities.
Vocabulary limitations or oddities, including spelling like you are typing a text. (The boss will love 'ur' or 'lemme' in a report.)
Having a history of bad photos out there which may spoil a job possibility.
Constant checking of phone, attention spans are low in young people.
Easy manipulation by big tech companies to engineer your media feed, or bend the truth to fit your narrative.
Anxiety levels (Covid excluded) very high.

I do think our country is rapidly changing in almost every facet. And I feel the younger generation is going to think, act, relate differently than previous generations, a lot due to social media. Okay, maybe that is not a bad thing? (I am not a fan of always finger pointing certain generations.) I would love to see some of the 'new thinking' look at issues differently and solve some of this.

My confidence is not high. But we all can try to be more civil and positive to each other one post at a time, so when the baton is passed to the next, we know we did our best.
On sites like this  
MyNameIsMyName : 3/6/2021 9:16 am : link
Anonymous and no consequences. Do you think the people who come on here insulting others every day act like that in real life? Not a chance
RE: If you think it is bad now...  
eric2425ny : 3/6/2021 9:21 am : link
In comment 15168155 PA Aggie said:
Quote:
Just wait until the current teens and 20-somethings get older.

I believe all the observations on this thread so far are accurate, how social media allows you to be someone who you are not, with virtually no consequences for even the most outrageous statements.

My kids, early to mid 20's, are social media crazy, as are most of their friends. It has completely absorbed their lives for the last 10+ years (likely my biggest failure as a parent). What are the results?

Less of an ability to communicate face to face.
Rock solid belief that Twitter has all the real news.
Dependence on others (strangers) to look for approval.
Lack of interest in any hobby, skill, or activities.
Vocabulary limitations or oddities, including spelling like you are typing a text. (The boss will love 'ur' or 'lemme' in a report.)
Having a history of bad photos out there which may spoil a job possibility.
Constant checking of phone, attention spans are low in young people.
Easy manipulation by big tech companies to engineer your media feed, or bend the truth to fit your narrative.
Anxiety levels (Covid excluded) very high.

I do think our country is rapidly changing in almost every facet. And I feel the younger generation is going to think, act, relate differently than previous generations, a lot due to social media. Okay, maybe that is not a bad thing? (I am not a fan of always finger pointing certain generations.) I would love to see some of the 'new thinking' look at issues differently and solve some of this.

My confidence is not high. But we all can try to be more civil and positive to each other one post at a time, so when the baton is passed to the next, we know we did our best.


Excellent post. You are right about the younger generations. For people like myself (turning 40 later this year) I didn’t grow up with this technology so I am very careful what I post online. The only social media outlets I use are Facebook and this site. But kids growing up with this technology don’t think twice about what they post because it’s so commonplace and encouraged.

If anyone on here hasn’t seen it yet I highly recommend watching The Social Dilemma on Netflix. Very interesting yet very scary how much this technology is controlling our thoughts, interests, etc.
On the other hand...  
trueblueinpw : 3/6/2021 9:30 am : link
People were not exactly wonderful and kind to each other in the absence of social media. I’m not so sure that people have a basis or inclination towards either good or evil. But I’m fairly convinced that we the people are basically sheep. Sometimes the shepherd leads the flock to a pasture of good but more often not so much because goodness isn’t usually as profitable as our lesser human inclinations. The problem isn’t social media, it’s human nature.
RE: On the other hand...  
Britt in VA : 3/6/2021 9:32 am : link
In comment 15168166 trueblueinpw said:
Quote:
People were not exactly wonderful and kind to each other in the absence of social media. I’m not so sure that people have a basis or inclination towards either good or evil. But I’m fairly convinced that we the people are basically sheep. Sometimes the shepherd leads the flock to a pasture of good but more often not so much because goodness isn’t usually as profitable as our lesser human inclinations. The problem isn’t social media, it’s human nature.


But the technology is manipulating human nature, in nefarious ways.
And the majority of the population....  
Britt in VA : 3/6/2021 9:34 am : link
is either oblivious to the manipulation, or don't care that they're being manipulated.
I participate in a few forums...  
EricJ : 3/6/2021 9:34 am : link
and this one by far is the worst when it comes to how members treat one another.
We have more information available to us  
Dave in Hoboken : 3/6/2021 9:37 am : link
than anyother time in history. But the general population out there (most of the people on the social media platforms, at least) aren't as smart as the general population used to be. They also seem to be more into fighting and whining than being...for lack of a better word...normal...and not completely insane?
RE: In general  
pa_giant_fan : 3/6/2021 9:38 am : link
In comment 15168110 Lines of Scrimmage said:
Quote:
we have too much ego and entitlement in society imo which leads to most of the issues.


Totally Agree
Great post.  
smshmth8690 : 3/6/2021 9:39 am : link
Nothing new to add, but I couldn't agree more with most of the comments.
And, on the other other hand...  
trueblueinpw : 3/6/2021 9:45 am : link
There’s cosplay reels on Instagram. So, let’s not act like it’s all bad news on social media.
Previously aimless people find causes, no matter how nutty,  
Britt in VA : 3/6/2021 9:48 am : link
that give them an identity. It gives them a purpose when they previously had none, then it consumes them.

A billion examples of this in the past four or five years or so. I’ve heard people comment on changes in people they know intimately, family members, closest friends, who they feel have done complete 180’s and they no longer know the person at all.
RE: Previously aimless people find causes, no matter how nutty,  
Big Blue '56 : 3/6/2021 9:51 am : link
In comment 15168178 Britt in VA said:
Quote:
that give them an identity. It gives them a purpose when they previously had none, then it consumes them.

A billion examples of this in the past four or five years or so. I’ve heard people comment on changes in people they know intimately, family members, closest friends, who they feel have done complete 180’s and they no longer know the person at all.


In my case, I’ve expunged these people from my life, forever. Doesn’t matter whether they’re blood or not. I don’t ever want their energy around me again
We’ve reached the point where  
UConn4523 : 3/6/2021 9:54 am : link
we need to think long and hard about social profiles no longer being anonymous. There’s lots of chatter around registering your profiles to put accountability back into normal every day online interaction.

I’m both for and against it. But something needs to happen. Until then I don’t really post online outside of this forum, which I don’t consider social media, it’s just a mess on the major platforms.
It’s sad....  
Britt in VA : 3/6/2021 9:55 am : link
Some people would say that social media brought out their true self.

I don’t believe that. I feel the social media targets specific traits, and then amplifies them thus changing a person.

Whoever is controlling all of this, knowingly allowing this to happen, is playing a dangerous game.
Great posts people  
Buzzard64 : 3/6/2021 10:17 am : link
The direction we seem to be heading in scares the shit out of me. It is a Rare young person with whom you can even carry on a face to face conversation these days. Their focus, first and foremost, is with the gadget in their hand. Any digital interruption is cause for immediate attention, leaving a live, person to person meeting far in the dust. As well it's scary to me that it is no longer as important to actually KNOW something...all that is needed is the knowledge to access an answer via digital means. Why bother to know anything when all you need to do is instantly tap in and look it up?
I dont think people are smarter or dumber now then before  
Jim in Forest Hills : 3/6/2021 10:18 am : link
I think there's more information floating but its all shallow information, headlines that dont dive deep.

I think in simpler terms, there's always been half the population that's dumber than the other half (amidst many shades of grey). But dumb people dont know that they are dumb. But you see everyone's posts on social media so the cats out of the bag.
RE: It’s sad....  
EricJ : 3/6/2021 10:33 am : link
In comment 15168183 Britt in VA said:
Quote:
Some people would say that social media brought out their true self.

I don’t believe that. I feel the social media targets specific traits, and then amplifies them thus changing a person.

Whoever is controlling all of this, knowingly allowing this to happen, is playing a dangerous game.


What it really boils down to is the average person is stupid and easily manipulated. So much so that they believe others are the ones who have been manipulated by all types of media.

People are so tied to their devices now and their world and existence is tied to whatever is trending. What is trending is controlled by someone or an entity.

I am happiest when I stay away from all of that, dont ever turn on ANY news channel... and just go fishing.
RE: Great posts people  
UConn4523 : 3/6/2021 10:36 am : link
In comment 15168186 Buzzard64 said:
Quote:
The direction we seem to be heading in scares the shit out of me. It is a Rare young person with whom you can even carry on a face to face conversation these days. Their focus, first and foremost, is with the gadget in their hand. Any digital interruption is cause for immediate attention, leaving a live, person to person meeting far in the dust. As well it's scary to me that it is no longer as important to actually KNOW something...all that is needed is the knowledge to access an answer via digital means. Why bother to know anything when all you need to do is instantly tap in and look it up?


I don’t agree. I think kids are incredibly smart these days, they are learning coding in school these days. They also have immense pressure that they overcome on a daily basis, constantly being connected at all times. Interaction isn’t the same as what I grew up with but they aren’t robots either.

I’m not worried about in person interaction, I’m worried about how far online social presence will go before it gets even more dangerous than it already is. Something needs to happen to prevent it, but then we get into government interference and that whole ball of fun.
RE: RE: On the other hand...  
trueblueinpw : 3/6/2021 10:40 am : link
In comment 15168167 Britt in VA said:
Quote:

But the technology is manipulating human nature, in nefarious ways.


Respectfully, I form an alternative conclusion. it’s humans who are “manipulating” technology to influence other humans. Technology isn’t an entity of itself, it’s a tool like fire or the wheel. In my experience, human nature is what’s actually “nefarious” or more accurately, driven by self serving preservation. Technology is a tool which surfaces and harnesses these basic instincts by pointing them in some gainful direction. But technology isn’t the source of these basic human instincts.

Look, you can say “rock n roll” makes teenagers fornicate. But that’s not actually correct. It’s human nature and animal instinct that makes teenagers fornicate. The music and the accoutrements of rock n roll (blue jeans or body piercings, tattoos, IG or Snapchat, etc.) are just a constructs for enabling the basic instinct of reproduction. (And keeping time!). If you take away rock n roll people are still gonna wanna fornicate. And if you ban anonymous posting on Twitter people are still going to be driven by lousy selfish human nature.

I think we all agree that it’s sad that social media brings out the worst in people. Where we seem to disagree is on the source of from where the bad in people originates. In my experience, people are not fundamentally good. Buy even here, the notion of “good” is actually a debatable construct.
RE: I dont think people are smarter or dumber now then before  
Spider56 : 3/6/2021 10:40 am : link
In comment 15168187 Jim in Forest Hills said:
Quote:
I think there's more information floating but its all shallow information, headlines that dont dive deep.

I think in simpler terms, there's always been half the population that's dumber than the other half (amidst many shades of grey). But dumb people dont know that they are dumb. But you see everyone's posts on social media so the cats out of the bag.


I find it both entertaining and sad to click on headlines, then actually read the content. The majority of the time the 2 are either at odds or inconsistent. Clearly headlines are meant to catch the eye without regard for the info that follows ..I .pity those that actually believe the bull shit.
RE: RE: Great posts people  
Britt in VA : 3/6/2021 10:50 am : link
In comment 15168198 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
In comment 15168186 Buzzard64 said:


Quote:


The direction we seem to be heading in scares the shit out of me. It is a Rare young person with whom you can even carry on a face to face conversation these days. Their focus, first and foremost, is with the gadget in their hand. Any digital interruption is cause for immediate attention, leaving a live, person to person meeting far in the dust. As well it's scary to me that it is no longer as important to actually KNOW something...all that is needed is the knowledge to access an answer via digital means. Why bother to know anything when all you need to do is instantly tap in and look it up?



I don’t agree. I think kids are incredibly smart these days, they are learning coding in school these days. They also have immense pressure that they overcome on a daily basis, constantly being connected at all times. Interaction isn’t the same as what I grew up with but they aren’t robots either.

I’m not worried about in person interaction, I’m worried about how far online social presence will go before it gets even more dangerous than it already is. Something needs to happen to prevent it, but then we get into government interference and that whole ball of fun.


How much farther? Do you think it’s coincidence that depression and suicide among teens is at an all time high? Do you think it’s coincidence that the rise of school shootings starting in 1999 is on a trajectory similar to the prevalence of the internet?

People need to stop ignoring or explaining away that humans have always been bad so this is nothing new. It absolutely is new. When the dust settles, the rise of the internet will be viewed as a turning point of mankind. Perhaps bigger than the industrial revolution.
I want to hold people responsible for  
DonQuixote : 3/6/2021 10:56 am : link
their behaviors, but SM companies must take some of the blame. At this point your news stories are generated by an algorithm that via "likes", accentuates one side of a polarized view and magnifies the most extreme positions on each side. You can blame human nature, after all, people click on the likes, but the algorithms don't have to be written the way they are. For decades, tobacco companies claimed to give people personal choices, but lied about it being a deadly addiction. It is not strictly a matter of choice if you are tapping into human physiology, for profit, to the detriment of your customers or society.

At this point, In my opinion, if you don't think Facebook is a nefarious presence in our society, a presence that continues to obfuscate it's partial responsibility for social political ills, then I don't think you are paying close enough attention.
What’s scary is when you are talking to someone about something  
eric2425ny : 3/6/2021 10:58 am : link
not looking anything up on google and you open your Facebook and there’s an ad for a product, movie, tv show, etc. that you were just discussing with your friend in the last hour.

I thought it was a coincidence when it happened the first time and after three or four instances and hearing other people tell me the same thing happened to them it’s pretty clear Facebook at least is listening to your conversations. Scary stuff and it goes pretty much unregulated because no one in the government really understands how this technology works.

It reminds me of the Dark Knight when Batman is using that surveillance technology and can hear and find anyone anywhere and Morgan Freeman resigns and tells him he should destroy it as soon as possible.
RE: RE: RE: On the other hand...  
Britt in VA : 3/6/2021 11:01 am : link
In comment 15168200 trueblueinpw said:
Quote:
In comment 15168167 Britt in VA said:


Quote:



But the technology is manipulating human nature, in nefarious ways.



Respectfully, I form an alternative conclusion. it’s humans who are “manipulating” technology to influence other humans. Technology isn’t an entity of itself, it’s a tool like fire or the wheel. In my experience, human nature is what’s actually “nefarious” or more accurately, driven by self serving preservation. Technology is a tool which surfaces and harnesses these basic instincts by pointing them in some gainful direction. But technology isn’t the source of these basic human instincts.

Look, you can say “rock n roll” makes teenagers fornicate. But that’s not actually correct. It’s human nature and animal instinct that makes teenagers fornicate. The music and the accoutrements of rock n roll (blue jeans or body piercings, tattoos, IG or Snapchat, etc.) are just a constructs for enabling the basic instinct of reproduction. (And keeping time!). If you take away rock n roll people are still gonna wanna fornicate. And if you ban anonymous posting on Twitter people are still going to be driven by lousy selfish human nature.

I think we all agree that it’s sad that social media brings out the worst in people. Where we seem to disagree is on the source of from where the bad in people originates. In my experience, people are not fundamentally good. Buy even here, the notion of “good” is actually a debatable construct.


A nuclear warhead isn’t inherently evil but is a weapon of mass destruction, and is capable of being used for evil purposes. The technology didn’t start out as evil but has been weoponized. Intent doesn’t really matter anymore now that Pandora’s box has been opened.
RE: What’s scary is when you are talking to someone about something  
UConn4523 : 3/6/2021 11:03 am : link
In comment 15168215 eric2425ny said:
Quote:
not looking anything up on google and you open your Facebook and there’s an ad for a product, movie, tv show, etc. that you were just discussing with your friend in the last hour.

I thought it was a coincidence when it happened the first time and after three or four instances and hearing other people tell me the same thing happened to them it’s pretty clear Facebook at least is listening to your conversations. Scary stuff and it goes pretty much unregulated because no one in the government really understands how this technology works.

It reminds me of the Dark Knight when Batman is using that surveillance technology and can hear and find anyone anywhere and Morgan Freeman resigns and tells him he should destroy it as soon as possible.


You can control your microphone in your settings. If it’s on the apps can listen for buzz words and use them for ads. It’s in their Ts and Cs and it’s why apps ask you for permission to your microphone. So if you have Instagram and want to post a recording, you have no choice.
Human nature  
crick n NC : 3/6/2021 11:05 am : link
Says I'm more concerned about myself to get what I need or want, while not being overly concerned about ourselves in regards to behavior that is toxic to us and others. Instead we trample others to get what we want\need, then ignore our own toxic behavior to only point out other's toxic behavior. Social media heightens this by removing the human contact (seeing or audibly hearing one another) and replacing it with a screen and text. Social media feeds on who we really are with the ability to change us, although the ability to change really comes from within.

Exposing ourselves to something of a positive or negative nature consistent certainly can impact change for the good or bad.

Of course, this is how I feel. What I'm missing from this whole equation is too long to list of course.
RE: RE: What’s scary is when you are talking to someone about something  
eric2425ny : 3/6/2021 11:11 am : link
In comment 15168222 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
In comment 15168215 eric2425ny said:


Quote:


not looking anything up on google and you open your Facebook and there’s an ad for a product, movie, tv show, etc. that you were just discussing with your friend in the last hour.

I thought it was a coincidence when it happened the first time and after three or four instances and hearing other people tell me the same thing happened to them it’s pretty clear Facebook at least is listening to your conversations. Scary stuff and it goes pretty much unregulated because no one in the government really understands how this technology works.

It reminds me of the Dark Knight when Batman is using that surveillance technology and can hear and find anyone anywhere and Morgan Freeman resigns and tells him he should destroy it as soon as possible.



You can control your microphone in your settings. If it’s on the apps can listen for buzz words and use them for ads. It’s in their Ts and Cs and it’s why apps ask you for permission to your microphone. So if you have Instagram and want to post a recording, you have no choice.


Thanks! I just searched microphone in my iPhone settings and there is is, Facebook Messenger with the microphone set to on. It’s nice they bury something like that in the T&C’s. I’ll make sure to share this with others.
...  
christian : 3/6/2021 11:16 am : link
I don't participate in social media, but read enough and consume enough media to track the trends.

I think the biggest issue in our society, reflected by and magnified by social media -- is the loss of truth as currency. Too many voices are projected that have no credentials.

I went to a pretty good journalism school for undergrad, and frankly wasn't good enough at it to make a career. It's a grueling, tiring, and at the time shrinking profession. Research, accuracy, and common sense are all in high demand in the profession. It's a profession that should have high regard and high standards.

You'd never hire a plumber without training to swap your lines, you'd never let a pilot without training fly a plane. I'd never trust a source of information without proper training in the art of telling the truth.

There are bad journalists, as there are bad plumbers, and bad pilots. But there are good ones. I seek them out aggressively. Not someone's kid on Twitter.

Not everything is true. There are conspiracy theories. There are liars. There are dangerous people. They should be embarrassed, marginalized, called out, and wore down by the virtues of truth.
We're braver  
crick n NC : 3/6/2021 11:27 am : link
On SM. We speak more freely which exposes a lot about us. Others pick up on that quickly.

I see someone committing hypocrisy, so I call them on it or judge them secretly to myself before settling my own hypocrisies.

I see someone acting arrogantly and call them on it, and, or judge them to myself before settling my own arrogance.

I see someone being insensitive and judge while myself am insensitive.

This list would go on much too long if I were to keep going.

In the end SM exposes a major flaw that wants others to correct their behavior while I stay unchanged.

RE: ...  
pjcas18 : 3/6/2021 11:32 am : link
In comment 15168243 christian said:
Quote:
I don't participate in social media, but read enough and consume enough media to track the trends.

I think the biggest issue in our society, reflected by and magnified by social media -- is the loss of truth as currency. Too many voices are projected that have no credentials.

I went to a pretty good journalism school for undergrad, and frankly wasn't good enough at it to make a career. It's a grueling, tiring, and at the time shrinking profession. Research, accuracy, and common sense are all in high demand in the profession. It's a profession that should have high regard and high standards.

You'd never hire a plumber without training to swap your lines, you'd never let a pilot without training fly a plane. I'd never trust a source of information without proper training in the art of telling the truth.

There are bad journalists, as there are bad plumbers, and bad pilots. But there are good ones. I seek them out aggressively. Not someone's kid on Twitter.

Not everything is true. There are conspiracy theories. There are liars. There are dangerous people. They should be embarrassed, marginalized, called out, and wore down by the virtues of truth.


The irony in this statement:

Quote:
I don't participate in social media


Is that this site, where you typed those comments, is just as much social media as anything else.
I don’t agree  
UConn4523 : 3/6/2021 11:40 am : link
That a message board is the same as Instagram or Facebook or Twitter. Maybe some threads can turn into that but for the most part BBI is typically a discussion forum, like Facebook was originally before it went of the rails.

The bad apples tilt the scales at times but it’s nothing close to what I think of for social media.
It's not an opinion  
pjcas18 : 3/6/2021 11:42 am : link
question.

social media is defined as websites or applications that allow people to create and/or share content.

BBI = Social Media, whether you "agree" it is or not.
...  
christian : 3/6/2021 11:46 am : link
That’s fair. I don’t participate in the major social media platforms. BBI is literally the only 1-to-many platform I use. Feels very different to me, but you are right.
Yes technically that’s correct  
UConn4523 : 3/6/2021 11:51 am : link
but they are worlds apart which is my point. I don’t post on any of the major platforms, pretty much avoid it whenever possible outside of links sent to me from friends or checking out sports/movies/tv/music related material.
RE: 25 years of BBI  
montanagiant : 3/6/2021 11:53 am : link
In comment 15168145 X said:
Quote:
an I posted maybe 25 times. Social media and online platforms are out of hand.

13 Things That Could Happen When You Quit Social Media - ( New Window )

Great link, thank you
I used to think this place didn’t qualify as social media....  
Britt in VA : 3/6/2021 12:01 pm : link
But 20 years went by and like everything else it evolved. This place used to be like the corner bar where people would shoot the shit. But I now see the same trends in discourse here that I see other places.
Which was inevitable since the younger posters that join...  
Britt in VA : 3/6/2021 12:11 pm : link
and participate know no other way.
People behave at their worst  
Bill in UT : 3/6/2021 12:14 pm : link
when they think there will be no consequences. SM is certainly the worst, but look at the real world, too. Women will get in a man's face and be disgusting because they don't believe a man will hit them. Same with people in cars, they'll give you the finger and curse you out, and drive off. Unfortunately for them, some of those social norms are changing a bit with road rage.
That’s interesting  
UConn4523 : 3/6/2021 12:15 pm : link
the biggest nut jobs on social media I know are adults, many in their 40s+. And I’m not taking about celebs, it’s people I know personally and have to effectively ignore or block.
RE: That’s interesting  
EricJ : 3/6/2021 12:19 pm : link
In comment 15168299 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
the biggest nut jobs on social media I know are adults, many in their 40s+.


Agree but I would also include adults in their 30s too
For sure  
UConn4523 : 3/6/2021 12:24 pm : link
that’s my age group, lunatics galore. Just meant the older crowd is plenty to blame. I shudder at the thought of my father being on Facebook or Twitter. It would be a total embarrassment. He can barely get into his email so I don’t think I’ll have to encounter it, thankfully.
To be clear, I'm not talking about the style of communication  
Britt in VA : 3/6/2021 12:25 pm : link
in a good or bad way, just the style of it.
i've also been here since the very first year (under a different  
markky : 3/6/2021 12:28 pm : link
handle mostly). It's the only site on the web i visit every day.

members do treat each other horribly. i'm not sure why. much worse than any other forum i visit (cycling, golf forums, etc.).

regarding SM, i've dropped out of FaceBook. my high school friends have said terrible things to each other making terrible accusations. things they would never say in person. and these are people that are lifelong friends with each other. it seems people conflate their identity with a cause, then start to "root for the jersey" and lose all reason.

let's just say I don't expect my High School class to ever have another reunion.
The crazy thing with social media is that it is doing  
eric2425ny : 3/6/2021 12:39 pm : link
exactly the opposite of what it was meant to do. Instead of bringing people closer together it is pulling us further apart.

And a lot of it is being controlled by the platforms. I’m not getting into any specifics on politics but I’ll just say I am an independent and have voted for both parties in the past. During this past election cycle I think I viewed a conservative post or two that someone I went to high school with had commented on. Next thing you know my Facebook feed is flooded with conservative feeds from people like Dan Bongino, Donald Trump Jr., etc. Facebook sees a few views of a certain political viewpoint and it’s like they open the flood gates. I’m sure the experience would have been the same if I had happened to view a few liberal posts. This is one of the reasons you see such polarization in thinking now. Not just in regard to politics, but other subjects as well.
RE: i've also been here since the very first year (under a different  
Britt in VA : 3/6/2021 12:47 pm : link
In comment 15168313 markky said:
Quote:
handle mostly). It's the only site on the web i visit every day.

members do treat each other horribly. i'm not sure why. much worse than any other forum i visit (cycling, golf forums, etc.).

regarding SM, i've dropped out of FaceBook. my high school friends have said terrible things to each other making terrible accusations. things they would never say in person. and these are people that are lifelong friends with each other. it seems people conflate their identity with a cause, then start to "root for the jersey" and lose all reason.

let's just say I don't expect my High School class to ever have another reunion.


The bolded alludes to what I was talking about in regards to style of posting.
to varying degrees, of course.  
Britt in VA : 3/6/2021 12:48 pm : link
.
I’m off Facebook..  
Sean : 3/6/2021 12:57 pm : link
It became full of people who are 45+ just spewing bullshit. This isn’t an age issue, the crazy spreads across every generation.
RE: I’m off Facebook..  
Britt in VA : 3/6/2021 1:14 pm : link
In comment 15168334 Sean said:
Quote:
It became full of people who are 45+ just spewing bullshit. This isn’t an age issue, the crazy spreads across every generation.


Again, I'm not accusing anybody, young or old as spewing bullsh-t.

I'm talking mainly about the style of communication. It feels much more... I don't know. It feels like the constructs of the conversation have changed, no matter the subject. There feels like an air of "gotcha" to every conversation. Taking things out of context, removing nuance, etc...
So when I said it was inevitable because the young know no other way..  
Britt in VA : 3/6/2021 1:15 pm : link
what I'm saying is they were brought up on having conversation in this manner.
RE: RE: I’m off Facebook..  
eric2425ny : 3/6/2021 1:17 pm : link
In comment 15168346 Britt in VA said:
Quote:
In comment 15168334 Sean said:


Quote:


It became full of people who are 45+ just spewing bullshit. This isn’t an age issue, the crazy spreads across every generation.



Again, I'm not accusing anybody, young or old as spewing bullsh-t.

I'm talking mainly about the style of communication. It feels much more... I don't know. It feels like the constructs of the conversation have changed, no matter the subject. There feels like an air of "gotcha" to every conversation. Taking things out of context, removing nuance, etc...


Agreed, it’s been headed down that path for a while now. This is the “gotcha” society where people have too much time on their hands and are looking for conflict and to find wrongs in everything. Especially since the pandemic started and everyone has been sheltered in their homes with social media their main outlet of communication in many cases.
RE: It's not about regarding  
PatersonPlank : 3/6/2021 1:24 pm : link
In comment 15168130 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
educated or uneducated opinions, it's about dissent.

People believe what they want, proven or not, due to confirmation bias and any other opinion is "miss information" or "conspiracy theories" or "incitement" and should be shut down or censored.

that's not how free people live. it's how communists live.

"I may not agree with what you say, but I sure as hell support your right to say it" - none of this stuff is fire in a movie theater, it's in many cases healthy dialog, but still gets shut down by arbitrary arbiters of "fact"

and as mentioned there is also the freedom of people to act or say whatever they want behind the anonymity of a keyboard with no consequences.

the two of those things merged and helped create the cesspool we see today.


Agree, its not about educated vs non-educated. In fact when I read someone say another has an un-educated opinion I Take it as that person saying the other is an idiot. Everyone has opinions, always has and always will. Social media has made it so that no matter what your opinion is, no matter how out there, you can find some people on the internet with like opinions. People spend all their time in this "echo chambers", agreeing with each other, and never having a discussion with a differing opinion and looking into why. It becomes "you're an idiot because you believe something different". All critical discussion, and looking at another point of view, are gone
RE: I used to think this place didn’t qualify as social media....  
christian : 3/6/2021 3:11 pm : link
In comment 15168287 Britt in VA said:
Quote:
But 20 years went by and like everything else it evolved. This place used to be like the corner bar where people would shoot the shit. But I now see the same trends in discourse here that I see other places.


I think you have nostalgic sense of BBI 20 years ago. Pre-login days this place was wild with dupes, nastiness, real world confrontations, genuine lunatics, not to mention a few real world sloppy romances that went sour in full display.
RE: I’m off Facebook..  
markky : 3/6/2021 3:18 pm : link
In comment 15168334 Sean said:
Quote:
It became full of people who are 45+ just spewing bullshit. This isn’t an age issue, the crazy spreads across every generation.


My impression, before I left FaceBook, is that the crazy is strongest with my generation (60 year olds). In all directions. It was like being in a shrapnel storm of crazy.
My respects to all posters  
PA Aggie : 3/6/2021 4:44 pm : link
This has been a very enjoyable thread to be a part of. If conversations about issues (yes, some are far more emotional) were carried out like this, I do believe America would be a better place. We have gotten to a point unfortunately, that emotional reactions can distort perceptions, and therefore, create 'facts' that one believes.

America is truly a melting pot. We will always have differences. Our cultural origins don't have to be eliminated. The more we are forced to unite and be equal, I fear the further apart we will be pushed. With that said, fairness is a more realistic goal.

So, in fairness, let us unite in our love for the Giants, and our dislike for the Eagles and hope they suck for decades.
When I got dumped from BBI  
Bill in UT : 3/6/2021 4:58 pm : link
I filled the time void by joining Twitter. It was a good source for information and I followed the campaign and the pandemic, following basically people who agreed with my POV. Still, there were people who would respond to me who were obviously looking for a fight. Both there, and on BBI, I try my best not to engage. There's just no need for me to argue with people. Day after the election, I dropped Twitter. Also haven't watched the news for 4 months :)
Twitter is definitely the worst and that trends younger.  
Dave in Hoboken : 3/6/2021 5:12 pm : link
Plenty of lunatics of all ages, but the 20 year olds in particular are so lost it's sad. And I'm not some oldie, only in my mid 30's. Facebook is more the older crowd, so the loons on there are older.
I grew up in the Bronx and spent at least the first 10 years of my  
Big Blue '56 : 3/6/2021 5:13 pm : link
life there..Then Long Island, Queens and back to Long Island. The hate and bigotry were there as they are today, EXCEPT we ignored them and they slinked away. When they were given a “forum” or “permission” to show who they were, they came out of the “hate” closet to make themselves heard..

I’m only on Facebook which has allowed me to find and converse with those from my past as well as those I met and friended during competitive stair climb events throughout the country..Also have a bunch of offline friends that I met on here 20 years ago..
......  
Route 9 : 3/6/2021 6:24 pm : link
We should all hang out. One big huge BBI bbq tailgate. See what happens.

Put down the fucking phones you Millennials and go out for a bike ride.
RE: My respects to all posters  
markky : 3/6/2021 6:25 pm : link
In comment 15168463 PA Aggie said:
Quote:

So, in fairness, let us unite in our love for the Giants, and our dislike for the Eagles and hope they suck for decades.


This.
Ha.  
Route 9 : 3/6/2021 6:39 pm : link
A bunch of posters slurped up the Eagles winning the Super Bowl and Justin Timberlake in the same week. Don't bother.
This was a truly great thread...  
Drewcon40 : 3/6/2021 7:09 pm : link
...I agree with many but I also wanted to add a factor. I am 46 - I gave up Facebook late 2016 and never went back. I stopped Twitter a few months ago but I will remain somewhat active on Instagram.

Just real quick on the social media and our addictions to phones - during the summer after the pandemic, my family got together for a weekend. I came down to join them in the common area and my 41 year old sister and law and her husband and 35 year old brother in law were all sitting buried in their phones. I stated their ages because I am not sure this is just an age thing. My mother in law is going to be 70 and she has instagram, I see her on it constantly and criticizing every photo. I offered, if this stresses you out so much, why not put it down?

I also think the lack of face to face discussions and just reading texts are also a contributor. Even with e-mails or interoffice collaboration software like Jabber or Slack, things can be lost without facial expressions or body language. I also agree there is something to a lot of your suggestions above that there is a lack of consequence with anonymity.

Great post SGMen and great comments by all.
it was more discussion and connection than what I see today?  
TJ : 3/6/2021 7:14 pm : link
Maybe my memory is faulty. I was here at Pete's corner pretty early too. Yea, I know, get off my lawn.

I just don't remember those days that way. There were good football posts. Some really excellent. But there was also lots of viscious and ignorant posting. Personal insults, off-topic trash, ignorant vituperative rants. I'm pretty sure that's what drove Eric to require registration and assigned user names to begin with - otherwise it was completely impossible to control the trolling.

I won't argue about the dismal quality of alot of online communications. I just don't think it 's much worse than it was unless you want to go back to the days when we used gopher and newsgroups and bulletin boards and had to install a seperate TCP/IP stack to get online.
And even then people were not any different. It was only a bit more civil because very few people were online and those who were tended to be as interested in the technology as they were in whatever topic was being discussed.
...  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 3/6/2021 7:18 pm : link
Not on Facebook or Instragam, but am on Twitter...& Good God is that a cesspool.
The problem  
Big Al : 3/6/2021 7:24 pm : link
with social media is that I run into people who disagree with me so by definition they are wrong. I can’ be subjected to people who are wrong so I do the mature thing on FB by unfriending them or blocking them.
RE: it was more discussion and connection than what I see today?  
Big Al : 3/6/2021 7:28 pm : link
In comment 15168525 TJ said:
Quote:
Maybe my memory is faulty. I was here at Pete's corner pretty early too. Yea, I know, get off my lawn.

I just don't remember those days that way. There were good football posts. Some really excellent. But there was also lots of viscious and ignorant posting. Personal insults, off-topic trash, ignorant vituperative rants. I'm pretty sure that's what drove Eric to require registration and assigned user names to begin with - otherwise it was completely impossible to control the trolling.

I won't argue about the dismal quality of alot of online communications. I just don't think it 's much worse than it was unless you want to go back to the days when we used gopher and newsgroups and bulletin boards and had to install a seperate TCP/IP stack to get online.
And even then people were not any different. It was only a bit more civil because very few people were online and those who were tended to be as interested in the technology as they were in whatever topic was being discussed.
Yes the good old days. I hope Matt in Syracuse is still alive and posting somewhere.
I think it's all what you make of it  
Go Terps : 3/6/2021 7:49 pm : link
Twitter has a ton of useful people on it; it's a great resource for sports information for example. How awesome was Brian Baldinger's Twitter when the Giants' OL was playing well? Warren Sharp's Twitter is a must follow. I also get a ton of great soccer info through Twitter.

It's a great avenue for reading interesting info from smart, professional sources.

What I don't get is closely following family or friends. Who gives a shit about their politics, the endless pictures of their kids, where they went on vacation, or that they ran a 5K? That stuff is garbage. But it's a great tool for accessing smart people.

......  
Route 9 : 3/6/2021 7:53 pm : link
I'm currently banned on Facebook for 7 days lol

and to be honest? I love life without it.
...  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 3/6/2021 8:00 pm : link
Wife is on Instagram & addicted to it; I feel like she posts a photo of our daughter every week or so. If I was just a random friend of hers, I'd think, 'We get it. You got a cute kid. Anything else going on?' Haha.
RE: ......  
EricJ : 3/6/2021 8:24 pm : link
In comment 15168544 Route 9 said:
Quote:
I'm currently banned on Facebook for 7 days lol



why am I not surprised?
RE: If you think it is bad now...  
CT Charlie : 3/6/2021 8:29 pm : link
In comment 15168155 PA Aggie said:
Quote:
Just wait until the current teens and 20-somethings get older.

I believe all the observations on this thread so far are accurate, how social media allows you to be someone who you are not, with virtually no consequences for even the most outrageous statements.

My kids, early to mid 20's, are social media crazy, as are most of their friends. It has completely absorbed their lives for the last 10+ years (likely my biggest failure as a parent). What are the results?

Less of an ability to communicate face to face.
Rock solid belief that Twitter has all the real news.
Dependence on others (strangers) to look for approval.
Lack of interest in any hobby, skill, or activities.
Vocabulary limitations or oddities, including spelling like you are typing a text. (The boss will love 'ur' or 'lemme' in a report.)
Having a history of bad photos out there which may spoil a job possibility.
Constant checking of phone, attention spans are low in young people.
Easy manipulation by big tech companies to engineer your media feed, or bend the truth to fit your narrative.
Anxiety levels (Covid excluded) very high.

I do think our country is rapidly changing in almost every facet. And I feel the younger generation is going to think, act, relate differently than previous generations, a lot due to social media. Okay, maybe that is not a bad thing? (I am not a fan of always finger pointing certain generations.) I would love to see some of the 'new thinking' look at issues differently and solve some of this.

My confidence is not high. But we all can try to be more civil and positive to each other one post at a time, so when the baton is passed to the next, we know we did our best.


A good summary, alas.
......  
Route 9 : 3/6/2021 8:30 pm : link
because Facebook will ban you for the most comments/jokes?
RE: ......  
Diversify yo bonds : 3/6/2021 8:40 pm : link
In comment 15168567 Route 9 said:
Quote:
because Facebook will ban you for the most comments/jokes?


Just make sure you steer clear of 27 year old movie quotes. It makes me feel unsafe
The social media dynamic is a paradox.  
CT Charlie : 3/6/2021 8:42 pm : link
It offers users extraordinary freedom to HIDE themselves from others, while it also allows them to REVEAL countless details of their lives. The net effect is that it allows us to curate, enhance and elevate our own lives, even as it allows us to critique, disparage and diminish the lives of others. And all of this is happening in public spaces that threaten to become more real than reality itself to a sizable chunk of the population.
RE: RE: ......  
Route 9 : 3/6/2021 8:51 pm : link
In comment 15168572 Diversify yo bonds said:
Quote:
Just make sure you steer clear of 27 year old movie quotes. It makes me feel unsafe


lol did another movie get banned recently? What are you referencing?
RE: RE: RE: ......  
Diversify yo bonds : 3/6/2021 9:03 pm : link
In comment 15168580 Route 9 said:
Quote:
In comment 15168572 Diversify yo bonds said:


Quote:


Just make sure you steer clear of 27 year old movie quotes. It makes me feel unsafe



lol did another movie get banned recently? What are you referencing?
P.C.U. is not a favorite of the moderation team apparently.
everyone should read  
JesseS : 3/6/2021 9:43 pm : link
Chatter
Think Again


Plenty of books out there to either avoid turning into that person or explain what it's doing to people's brains. The research is starting to come out. Also, people truly believe that feelings and emotions are most important in their belief systems and they're not willing to reevaluate/update their beliefs.

It's not liberal, conservative etc. Social media just shorts our brains. Lots of reasons why. Everyone has turned into snowflakes....everyone thinks they're persecuted. Everyone seeks echo chambers. You should check out the research on that. When people ruminate on social media, they think it helps them. It doesn't. The evidence is pretty conclusive at this point. An interesting thing in Chatter talks about how time is immensely helpful in processing (obviously) and how social media completely removes time/distance. "Safetyism" is another reason - again, it's blind to political/religious affiliation.

I'm a therapist...many of my clients, regardless of religion, political affiliation or age, feel aggrieved by other people's opinions.

My recommendation? Turn off the news and get off social media. I'm still not even sure why I'm a member here. I realize after I post that it doesn't really add value to my life any more than just reading what some of the informed posters have to say. Certainly not like it did 20 years ago. Unfortunately, everyone, including myself, thinks they have a valid opinion lol.

People should read those books. If people want to know more things they can read for psychoeducation, you're all welcome to email me. My website is on my profile. I love this topic. I've been into it for years.
just want to repeat, if I wasn't clear  
JesseS : 3/6/2021 9:45 pm : link
It's amazing, clearly just anecdotally, how many of my clients notice incredible changes in their mental health and happiness by putting their phones down or deleting social media. I also encourage people just to delete the app they use, so they can still check things like twitter, but they have to go out of their way to do so.

OK, now I'll shut up.
I got banned from Twitter...  
trueblueinpw : 3/6/2021 9:52 pm : link
Actually just got a reply to my appeal today: I’m banned for life. I don’t even think what I said was that bad. But, yeah, banned from Twitter.
RE: I got banned from Twitter...  
Route 9 : 3/6/2021 10:21 pm : link
In comment 15168605 trueblueinpw said:
Quote:
Actually just got a reply to my appeal today: I’m banned for life. I don’t even think what I said was that bad. But, yeah, banned from Twitter.


Yeah, that's exactly what they're going for. Willfully ignorant of context just for whatever reason they can find to control (and change) speech. My collection of bannings on Facebook are all something bland, similar to something that you'd find on a sitcom. One of my FB bannings, I got a timeout because in some football trash group because.... I mentioned meth.

Whatevs. Their call I guess, just hope one day our laws do not mirror Facebook's community standards or else I'm in deep doo-doo. In real life, I'm pretty cool and have a lot of charisma and when I get going, I'm a pretty funny guy.
I am pretty sure when people  
short lease : 3/6/2021 10:34 pm : link

do not have to look another in the eye and state their case .... that is when the "troll" was invented.

It went from "breakin balls" light heartedly to VENOM very quickly. Sad.

Just know that (at anytime) it could become impossible to have an intelligent conversation on any topic.
Back to the Corner