[Disconnected User] Social Media Experience Blasphemy

thebadmachine on 29/12/2020 - 23:41
Last edited 30/12/2020 - 00:06

Disconnected user here (in private life and internet) and so zero “common” social media accounts.
Only make website account when it is absolutely needed (complete opposite to family member who makes accounts every single day but another story) so even the number of current website accounts is minimal.
Always was the one who avoided “modern” technology & popular services, but recently have started changing, and now more open to modern futuristic social idea.

So recently started wondering maybe this behaviour is too paranoid, there is opportunity to experience new wonderful experience by creating ALL social media account (twitter / facebook / instagram / tiktok / youtube) and being more active on the internet.

Ozbargain proposition (same as vote options):

  1. You vote here and promise to delete all apps & will stop using social media now (we will be same experience / better off staying disconnected). OR

  2. You vote to continue using social media forever (will make accounts on all social media and be more popular / accepted by society / try best to engage and use them find hidden benefits).

Result will affect behaviour on 1/1/2021.

(Disclaimer: previously made facebook account 16 years ago when it released, account had zero friends and just a few photos uploaded, never used maybe it is deleted by now, if option 2 wins will make brand new facebook account)

Poll Options expired

  • 156
    1 Will stop using social media and you can live without (you are avoiding lot of junk)
  • 60
    2 Will continue to use social media (one of us one of us)
Internet

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 30/12/2020 - 00:06
    +13

    Don’t take everything too seriously :)

    • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 00:12

      Just think of as if it is for artificial intelligence.
      If it is too much pressure to vote 1 or 2 please just think as social experiment, which one you will see more benefit in conclusion.

      • [Deactivated] on 30/12/2020 - 00:14
        +6

        Why would I feel pressure to vote on a forum poll?

    • CalmLemons on 31/12/2020 - 18:58

      Yes, don't go out of your way like a nutjob to do this.

      You won't benefit whatsoever from social media tbh.

      Perhaps lookup minimalism to reduce the amount of shit we are inundated with these days. Take it from someone who specialises in social influence.

      Marketing is very good at feeding addiction these days.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/12/2020 - 00:07
    +20

    Everything in moderation

    • [Deactivated] on 30/12/2020 - 00:08
      +6

      Except smoking, and drugs.

      • resubaehtgnolhcs on 30/12/2020 - 02:20
        +2

        what about rape and pillage?

        • Scrooge McDuck on 30/12/2020 - 15:06
          +8

          Just a little pillage, and only during festivals.

        • LFO on 30/12/2020 - 20:11

          Perfectly OK if you are a recognized pirate and do it as a paid job.

          Pirate of the Caribbean and everywhere else.

      • Ughhh on 30/12/2020 - 08:28
        +3

        Except smoking, and drugs.

        Go big or go home.

      • Charmoffensive on 30/12/2020 - 18:20

        But alcohol is ok?

        • [Deactivated] on 30/12/2020 - 20:11
          +1

          I didn’t say that.

          • Charmoffensive on 31/12/2020 - 17:33

            @[Deactivated]: You implied it. Unless by drugs, you also meant legal drugs like alcohol. But that means you also include panadol on that list.

            • [Deactivated] on 31/12/2020 - 17:47

              @Charmoffensive: I didn’t imply that. I didn’t mention many other things that I think shouldn’t be done in moderation.

        • Monad on 31/12/2020 - 12:37

          Alcohol is a drug like any other, albeit a legal one. As a side note, diamorphine is used legally as an analgesic for moderate to severe pain in the UK. It is also known as heroin.

          • Charmoffensive on 31/12/2020 - 17:32

            @Monad:

            Alcohol is a drug like any other

            By that argument, OP is also including paracetamol and antibiotics in his list of "drugs". We both know he was implying "illegal" drugs.

            • [Deactivated] on 31/12/2020 - 18:00

              @Charmoffensive: No, I wasn’t implying illegal drugs. I stated two things that I think shouldn’t be done in moderation. I’m not going to list everyone I can think of. Smoking isn’t illegal anyway.

      • abuch47 on 31/12/2020 - 13:06

        especially alcohol

        dude weeds fine lmao

        • Monad on 31/12/2020 - 13:13

          Take a gathering of people smoking weed, or even taking MDMA and compare it to a gathering of those drinking alcohol. There will be much more cohesiveness and camaraderie, than the higher aggression and violence with the latter.

          • abuch47 on 31/12/2020 - 13:21

            @Monad: haha alcohol actually leads to the opposite but don't trust me go look at the stats of alcohol fueled violence (being a depressant poison) vs mdma which specifically releases serotonin and other mood boosters and THC heavy cannabis (the psychoactive strains) which has no lethal dose.

            dRuGs, have you been on one to many alcoholic benders?

            next you'll tell me cocaine is healthy.

            • thanatos350 on 31/12/2020 - 14:30
              +1

              @abuch47: I think Monad is on your side, mate.

            • Monad on 02/01/2021 - 10:07

              @abuch47: I'm not against you, I'll rephrase it: take a gathering of people smoking weed, or even taking MDMA (the former) and compare it to a gathering of those drinking alcohol (the latter). There will be much more cohesiveness and camaraderie with the weed or MDMA takers, than the higher aggression and violence of the alcohol takers. All the best.

    • yeetozber on 31/12/2020 - 11:06

      Except moderation.

    • Ok computer on 31/12/2020 - 20:01

      Definitely, do not revert to the mean

  • avoidfullprice on 30/12/2020 - 00:13
    +3

    Does option 1 include your ozbargain account?

    • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 00:15
      -2

      Sorry should have included “common social media”.
      Poll text is permanent so it is too late.

      Personally think ozbargain already is beneficial (maybe subjective) but believe it helps with shopping and you learn a lot of things.

      • avoidfullprice on 30/12/2020 - 00:20
        +2

        Sorry don't actually know what you polling. So regardless, you will live on a number of forums, but consider yourself disconnected?

        either way, good luck with your experiment. happy new year…

      • endotherm on 30/12/2020 - 05:52
        +23

        Not sure how "disconnected" you think you are. You have already shared that you live in Sydney, and who knows what information can be mined from your 339 posts and 3848 comments in 3 years on a single website! All from a single click!

        • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 14:20
          -2

          Yes good point. Found many benefits to ozbargain, so usage has gone up especially in the last year.
          It has become a internet portal in a way, but would say positive experience.

          Word disconnected means more actual connections I guess (think most these days have accounts on all these “common” social media & receive phone notifications so they are more constantly connected to other people), ozbargain is a forum for many with common interests (bargains), but on “common social media” social would be common interest (in social).

          Now just started thinking of costs involved with using apps on the phone (affect battery life / data usage etc), will probably stick to logging in on PC, so will probably stay disconnected in a way.

          • Charmoffensive on 30/12/2020 - 18:59
            +13

            @thebadmachine: Oh I see, this only works if you define social media as "things I don't like". The truth is that the term "social media" is rather nebulous and no longer accurately reflects today's online media. Most websites these days all contain social elements to some degree (even kamado style grills have their own forum) and so it's tremendously hard to pin down. Do we go by its intended purpose? What if the platform, like many, has grown and changed well beyond its original scope? Or do we define it by how people actually use it? This too, runs into a myriad of issues as the user base of any website is often incredibly diverse. You may use Facebook purely to share photos with your friends and talk to each other in group chats, while I might only use it to sell vintage scuba gear on the marketplace there. We're both using "social media", but I'm not engaging in any of the social aspects. The monolithic nature of websites these days mean that often "social media" is simply one aspect of any one platform.

            Instagram is just a shared interest in photography, while Twitter has become a news aggregator for anyone from artists to politicians. Some may share photos with friends and engage socially, while someone else might not follow anyone on twitter other than companies who make CPU components so that they get release dates and articles about tech.

            I'm not sure why you consider YouTube social media, as it's really more like a crowdsourced version of a streaming service like Netflix. You can find anything on there from regular commerical tv style media to tutorials on how to repair the crisper tray on an he44-v fridge. Sure, there are personalities people follow, but so are tv celebrities and the I don't think anyone considers Stan social media. likewise, tiktok is just a short form video platform which as far as I can tell is mostly about watching bite sized videos, usually of people doing stupid stuff. Kinda of like a la carte Australia's funniest Home videos.

            Facebook is really the only PURE social media in the sense that it was purpose built purely as an avenue to engage socially with others, although a lot of people use it entirely to be part of special interest pages (forums), much like ozb or for the marketplace as a gumtree substitute.

            I think if you want to look at being truly "disconnected" then you need to remove yourself from any website that has a forum or comments section, which is obviously pretty difficult.

            My philosophy is that it's impossible to shun technology or social media unless you want to be Amish or a luddite, rather try to understand what you want from each website and only engage in the social aspects as much as you feel comfortable doing so.

            • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 20:41

              @Charmoffensive: Thanks for your comment it was good reading.

              The monolithic nature of websites these days mean that often "social media" is simply one aspect of any one platform.

              Yes that makes sense, so writing this comment right now is social media yes I understand.

              Maybe looking for the “experience” is chatting to people from around the world and learning information. This is how I imagine twitter / facebook to be (maybe wrong) but kind of community like ozbargain, but it is more free (all kind of interests & people) instead of focused on bargains etc.

              I'm not sure why you consider YouTube social media

              From memory it was a place where you can upload a video, and someone else can upload a reply video directly to your video. Maybe it has changed since then.

              Facebook is really the only PURE social media in the sense that it was purpose built purely as an avenue to engage socially with others, although a lot of people use it entirely to be part of special interest pages (forums)

              Yes read a lot of paranoid posts about facebook on ozb but I think it is one of the most “free” social networks, as in lots of variety compared to youtube or WhatsApp etc.

              I think if you want to look at being truly "disconnected" then you need to remove yourself from any website

              Actually depending on poll results, open to being more connected.
              Maybe it sounds like intending to shun technology but reality is just slow to adopt.

        • bongom on 30/12/2020 - 22:36

          OP posted a deal requiring a Facebook login so doesn't sound very disconnected to me?
          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/591149

          • thebadmachine on 31/12/2020 - 00:19

            @bongom: Yes first Portal deal was posted by another user, and was confused what it actually is, so researched product and provided all important information (first deal was missing this information which is important to know).
            If deal is posted some assume “they must have it” or “they can afford it” but can say as a poster both is false.
            If deal poster specifically mention it in deal then yes they might have product.

  • PensionerXXL on 30/12/2020 - 00:34

    the govt spy on me, not to be malicious, they just think i am interesting

  • follow on 30/12/2020 - 00:35
    +1

    do you feel like you are missing out? if yes, give it a go. what's the worst that can happen?

    • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 00:40
      -3

      missing out

      If it is asking for something new then it is a mystery. This is how come I will follow god’s will (internet is modern day of god).

      • Monad on 31/12/2020 - 12:50

        Look up 'FOMO". Even if you see others on social media having a wonderful time, it is not their lives, it is precisely orchestrated by them and they are suffering from FOMO themselves…and it goes on and on. Perhaps that is what you have to look forward to joining facebook and finding many 'friends' who share their gaiety with you……

        • thebadmachine on 31/12/2020 - 18:53

          Even if you see others on social media having a wonderful time, it is not their lives

          Yes know it is different, like commercials on TV and what you get.
          “Friends” is too extreme (maybe sounds this way but ok with being left alone). So it is more just helping others through internet or just sharing information. Like maybe one person says “I need to dress up as clown and need advice”, and someone who dressed up as clown before can say “ok go to mirror do this this and you will be ok bye”.

          • Monad on 02/01/2021 - 10:20

            @thebadmachine: Proper friends are not fair weather friends, they are there for you in thick and thin, regardless if you met them on the internet or IRL. It is much harder to find genuine people on the internet, but it is possible. It is not easy to find genuine friends IRL (in real life) either.

    • FireRunner on 30/12/2020 - 00:40

      Getting addicted?

      • follow on 30/12/2020 - 01:48

        not the worst addiction to have

  • spackbace on 30/12/2020 - 00:39
    +14

    You vote to continue using social media forever

    And bingo, you lost me and so many other viewers of this post. Why have 2 absolute binary options, either a feast or famine? It just comes across like someone who's a snag short of a barbie.

    You're allowed middle-ground, which most would say they're part of. There's nothing wrong with an extended social circle, either through social media, multiplayer gaming or online forums. All are interlaced in terms of their sociable nature, but have varying degrees of security, which is a separate conversation altogether.

    And who's to say what will come in the future?My generation has seen the birth of the modern internet, to mirc, icq/MSN messenger, MySpace, Facebook, and all the other outliers. So much change in such a short time. Why would anyone say they're gonna keep using social media into the future, or not?

    Silly post may as well be another car insurance post.

    • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 00:43
      +1

      You vote to continue using social media forever

      Think it is realistic for people who use / depend on social media to continue using until they die (even if they reduce I think they will continue to keep their apps / accounts).

      Made it black & white so it would be clearer which option to go ahead on new years day.
      If you make both options “grey” just to please people / make it easier to vote, than the meaning behind each vote is less, so people will just vote wrong.

      You're allowed middle-ground, which most would say they're part of.

      Think from perspective of “disconnected user” middle ground is already power user.

      • spackbace on 30/12/2020 - 00:47
        +10

        so people will just vote wrong.

        Who are you to decide what's a right or wrong answer? Just because you made a poll, doesn't mean the only "right" answers are binary.

        Wow, just wow

        Think from perspective of “disconnected user”

        You created a poll and asked a question. People will answer from their owns beliefs and opinions. If you want them to vote based on yours, then you've created a fictional poll with meaningless results.

        I feel a should start a poll: "thinking in the context of a pink polka dot dragon, what does the sky taste like? A) yes, b) no". Makes about as much sense

        • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 00:51
          +1

          You are misunderstand, if there was only right or wrong answer you are saying it is rigged vote system (people has zero control of their vote).

          People can vote whichever one they choose, maybe you are power user (or moderator) so you can change vote text, but in this poll it is permanent text.

          Yes could have made better decision before clicking “post” button but this is what ended up and it is ok how it is.

          If you have issue or trouble making sense with post or how it is written please click report button instead of telling user to alter post.

          -

          “1. You vote here and promise to delete all apps & will stop using social media now (we will be same experience / better off staying disconnected). OR”

          “2. You vote to continue using social media forever (will make accounts on all social media and be more popular / accepted by society / try best to engage and use them find hidden benefits).”

          I understand this is part you have issue with so will explain. First wrote “delete all apps & stop using social media now”, then second part “continue using social media forever”, just “continue using social media” seemed too gentle compared to “stop now” so I choose to write “forever”. If I take both this extreme part out (“stop now” “forever”), I thought it is too grey for people.

      • Monad on 31/12/2020 - 13:01

        thebadmachine, so the fact that you are already on social media (this is a forum), is middle ground at least, not black, certainly not white. Where do you want to go with this?

    • SF3 on 30/12/2020 - 00:56
      +4

      Yep - falls into the absolutism fallacy

      • Monad on 31/12/2020 - 13:01

        Well said.

  • penguincat on 30/12/2020 - 01:00
    +2

    It shouldn't be up to anyone other then you to decide on what to do.

    I only use Facebook to talk to a family remember who was missing for 16 years. As well as using to back up photos of my pets.
    I have 8 Facebook friends one of them is deceased. Do I want any more friends on Facebook? not really.
    If the Facebook's entire site was deleted tomorrow I think I would get in trouble as in Id somehow get the blame for it.
    The family member now knows the postal address and phone numbers never changed. So I think they could still contact one of us.

    Anyways:
    If you like the wrong pages because there was something funny on it 3 months ago but the rest is pure vial. Then your going too resent it.

    Just the same as friends if you add people. Make sure they are decent people first. Or don't be afraid to block if they are vial and or post vial things.

    Think that everyone is going to spy on you? Simple fixes. Change your name add a random letter or change one change your dob so it's 1 day and 1 year out.
    Also use an Adblocker and Firefox for Facebook owed sites and use the Facebook container feature. See a stupid ad you can say nope and never see posts from that page again.

    Find the happyness. Like Animals? Find cute cats/kittens/dogs/puppies pages and like those.
    Curious Zelda is a great example. A cat does cat things and writes poems about it. Last one was about a bug she ate.
    Don't look for the doom and gloom pages.

    It isn't about "I better use it to fit in." If you want to use social media use it but use it correctly.

    If you in the future find "well this sucks I hate it" or "I now spend 20 hours a day on it. Help" then suspend/delete. None of this well "I have to stick with it because a forum poll on a website said I had too."

    Enjoy the good things. If it isn't for you then it isn't for you. :)

    • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 01:19

      Thanks it helps explain.

      I have 8 Facebook friends one of them is deceased. Do I want any more friends on Facebook? not really.

      Yes I wondered this, if I add primary school & high school group, think probably 50% will be dead or in jail. Maybe it could be shocking, but also interesting to learn.

      The family member now knows the postal address and phone numbers never changed. So I think they could still contact one of us.

      Interesting, so just having this information on the website can possibly benefit at later age. So kind of stops you from disappearing completely I guess…

      If you like the wrong pages because there was something funny on it 3 months ago but the rest is pure vial. Then your going too resent it.

      Yes I am aware of this, clicking can cause things more in future.

      Just the same as friends if you add people. Make sure they are decent people first. Or don't be afraid to block if they are vial and or post vial things.

      This is difficult part. And still makes you think how it works. Personally will avoid even adding school info, this is people you “met” 20 years ago so they are completely different people today.

      Think that everyone is going to spy on you?

      Will be using all correct info.

      Don't look for the doom and gloom pages.

      Yes just normal ABC use thanks.

      None of this well "I have to stick with it because a forum poll on a website said I had too."

      Yes of course every moment is different and you will think differently.

      Thanks for your comment.

  • AustriaBargain on 30/12/2020 - 01:01

    You're not being too paranoid. But at the same time, the entire world is in the same boat. So you may be cutting yourself out of some modern marvels for nothing. If corporations are going to spy or some huge data leak is incoming, then it affects us all equally. It's not like Facebook can ruin everyone's life at the same time, if something happens then we're all taken down a few pegs and we're all still on the same level as each other. The world will adapt to whatever leak or whatever scary thing you think may happen and probably will happen at some point maybe tomorrow or far in the future.

    You can impose your own self limits on usage, maybe check facebook only when you're otherwise idle like in line at the post office. It is addictive, but you've resisted becoming a regular drunk, you aren't obese from a sugar addiction, you aren't bankrupt from a gambling addiction. I think there's a good chance you'll be able to weather social media addiction too.

    And you don't need friends to enjoy Facebook or Instagram, though it is nice to see what memes your friends find funny.

    • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 01:27

      You're not being too paranoid.

      Yes but always suspicious first, then maybe tsundere.

      If corporations are going to spy or some huge data leak is incoming, then it affects us all equally.

      Yes sorry maybe this is how you understand the post, but it is ok for them to collect the data. Personally see it as helps artificial intelligence to better understand human being.

      The world will adapt to whatever leak or whatever scary thing you think may happen and probably will happen at some point maybe tomorrow or far in the future.

      Yes i agree. Always just adapt, issue is just existing just do your best.

      It is addictive,

      Yes kind of worrying, was planning to allow all notifications on all apps on phone (expecting very little response because private life is also empty), but if it was more than you expect it could be distracting and dangerous.

      And you don't need friends to enjoy Facebook or Instagram, though it is nice to see what memes your friends find funny.

      Yes still confused to how it works, thought “social” was main part, but maybe you benefit with other features. Maybe you join all websites and there is barely any use for it.

      • AustriaBargain on 30/12/2020 - 02:22

        I disagree, I don't think it's okay for them to collect so much data. But that's just the price of admission at the moment.

        • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 14:26

          price of admission at the moment.

          Yes it is free service, but if anything think they should also provide free data usage (pay for your phone plan to collect all the data which they sell) (otherwise pay your own plan and only share limited data maybe this is good).

      • thanatos350 on 31/12/2020 - 14:39

        I have most of these apps, but I don't really use them aside from their messaging features.

        It's a weird mix of seeing virtual ghosts, people you used to know, going about their lives. You learn so much about people without ever speaking to them. The other side is that you have access to all sorts of content, niche in nature, that may be interesting to you.

        I do think there will be social consequences to social media. A lot of kids broadcasting their lives aren't entirely aware of the fact that information doesn't really go away. Times change, but that information doesn't. The things you post today may be seen as unconscionable in ten years. Think of all the people that you've seen be cancelled for tweets from their youth.

        • thebadmachine on 31/12/2020 - 16:19

          You learn so much about people without ever speaking to them.

          That is strange, almost like compulsory stalking.

          The other side is that you have access to all sorts of content, niche in nature, that may be interesting to you.

          Yes that does sound interesting.

          A lot of kids broadcasting their lives aren't entirely aware of the fact that information doesn't really go away.

          Yes think young consumers with new smart-phone and the first apps they download is “twitter / facebook / instagram / tiktok / youtube etc”.

          The things you post today may be seen as unconscionable in ten years.

          Yes thanks good to know and be aware of.

          Funny thing recently saw on video, used to be “hey look at this one picture of your grandma from 70 years ago” now it is “hey look at these 1,000,000 photos of your grandma on facebook”. (guess it makes it kind of less special)

  • Raulioli8810 on 30/12/2020 - 07:32
    +2

    Are you in drugs? Seriously what is wrong with you?

    • Heaps for Cheaps on 30/12/2020 - 08:49
      +5

      Wow, rude.

    • mikzter on 30/12/2020 - 08:52
      +1

      Does being 'in' drugs mean that you are dealing or maybe processing drugs? I'm not sure why someone's personal choice in employment has any bearing on their views in this case.

      • DazMon on 30/12/2020 - 10:55
        +1

        No, you are inside a drug!

        • Loopholio on 30/12/2020 - 12:15
          +1

          If I were a drug, what would I taste like and what effect would I give..

        • HowDoIDoThis on 30/12/2020 - 18:53
          +1

          A drug is inside me.

    • endotherm on 30/12/2020 - 10:56
      +2

      Many of my closest friends are pharmacists. What's wrong with their career choice?

  • EightImmortals on 30/12/2020 - 08:49
    +6

    Option #3 "I have no social media to delete'

    • Loopholio on 30/12/2020 - 12:17
      +1

      I used to the same thing. Apparently websites like OZBargain are also social media. Same as other forums, even Discord.

  • Blue Cat on 30/12/2020 - 08:56

    I only use Facebook for Messenger (work, relatives, friends etc. - it is unavoidable) and don't even have an Instagram, TikTok or whatever zoomer social networks are popular now.
    I am living pretty happily. If I can, so can you.
    It just seems that a Facebook account is inevitable.

    • nubzy on 30/12/2020 - 10:07
      +3

      Hardly.. I hate Fakebook and want nothing to do with it. Plenty of other ways to communicate with friends and family.

    • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 14:30

      It just seems that a Facebook account is inevitable.

      Yes if you read disclaimer at bottom of post, made one 16 years ago, and simply because it was the “new” thing to do online (remember classmate just saying: everyone’s doing it so let’s make one together) (it was new and exciting at the time admit).

  • MontyMacaw on 30/12/2020 - 09:10
    -1

    😩😩😩

  • singingwolf on 30/12/2020 - 09:18

    Am I dreaming?

  • crashloaded on 30/12/2020 - 09:29

    If you're someone that's influenced to purchase things through advertising I wouldn't recommend it.

    • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 14:28
      -2

      Saw recent YouTube video about someone who tested buying from facebook ad, it was a $100 mini laptop, they ended up receiving package with correct tracking number, just sunglasses & face mask inside.
      So think most of these social media ads is scam.

  • OzHunterNSW on 30/12/2020 - 10:51
    -2

    Oh Tic Tok started so innocent, sure enough, with fun dancing sequences, and witty comedy sketches, then the nightmare began: religious "NUTTERS", UFO conspiracist, Narcissist haters, paranoid "lizard people", witchtok, and did I mention the religious "FREAKS"…

    • Lunatic on 31/12/2020 - 16:29

      Half of the latter groups you mentioned sound better than watching dumb kids dancing to awful music

  • Baa on 30/12/2020 - 11:26

    My signed me up for a facebook account a long time ago, and I didn't use it for a long time, however I found maybe 4/5 years ago I was increasingly spending more time on it reading things about people I did not care about. I decided to go through and do a cleanup of all these areas / forums that I was visiting that I couldn't justify the value in and went through and deactivated a range of accounts:
    - Facebook (only deactivated as most of my family/extended family uses messenger)
    - Twitter
    - MySpace
    - Some misc gaming forums (that I was visiting out of habit)
    - A bunch of other things I cannot remember anymore

    I find over the years this has extended further into other aspects of my online life.

    I think if anything this has given me back some time in my day and I don't feel like I have this endless hole I am dumping my time into for no real gain or satisfaction. Which in return lets me play more games (which are definitely not a waste of time).

    • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 14:34

      endless hole I am dumping my time into for no real gain or satisfaction.

      Good to think about & be aware of thanks.

  • cashless on 30/12/2020 - 18:13
    +1

    Poll options both assume voter is using social media.

    • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 18:32

      Assume most younger people are (who have experience using it), interested in opinion of those who are using it, if you are lacking experience in the area then you can decide to pass on voting.

      Thanks.

      • HowDoIDoThis on 30/12/2020 - 18:49

        I'm older people & like this.

        • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 20:00

          Yes you are welcome to vote. Thanks.

  • outlander on 30/12/2020 - 18:46

    I felt the same way for a long time, but it's more suspicious to have no profile than a profile. I vote to make dummy accounts, with just enough noise to them to be unfindable by random people looking, but recognizable by friends and family immediately as being you.

    • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 20:02

      but it's more suspicious to have no profile than a profile. I vote to make dummy accounts

      Think dummy accounts is also more suspicious. But yes it is just “assuming”, even people with 100% real accounts can be suspicious.

  • iridiumstem on 30/12/2020 - 18:47
    +2

    Ozbargain forums technically would be considered social media depending on whose definition you'd go for, just saying.

  • mrhugo on 30/12/2020 - 19:23
    +1

    Never had social media, twitter, FB, Myspace, Instagram and whatever else is/or has been out there. And when I say never, I mean never, so no burner accounts, test accounts, dip my little toe in accounts, etc, null, zero, nothing, none. What these services offer doesn't appeal to me.

    The ONLY social app I have is WhatsApp, and I've had that long before FB acquired them. For friends and family.

    OzB is about as social as I get in this virtual world.

    In the physical world, things are very different.

    I can't comment of your situation, but I get everything I need and more from the closet people around me, maybe this is why these social services don't appeal to me…. I’m also very protective of my privacy…not in a paranoid way, but I prefer to keep any information about me at arm’s length.

    My instinct tells me that if you didn't feel the need to use these social services before, then you probably don't need them now. If you do create an account I suspect it will only serve to reinforce your belief that you don't need them. Let us know.

    • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 20:28

      Let us know.

      Yes if that option wins was considering to share (for each social network).

      Vote option Number 1, was winning up until now (was around 15 to 45).
      But option 2 is catching up again.
      Poll end date is New Year’s Eve.

  • Mysterious on 30/12/2020 - 21:51
    +1

    I've limited social media use a lot recently. I turned off notifications a few months ago. I always found myself aimlessly browsing through Instagram and FB for hours on end.. to this day I still fall victim to boredom and find myself aimlessly browsing again. I've done 7 day detoxes successfully before but always came back. This time I'm actually really fed up with all the b.s on social media.. Challenges don't work because in the back of your mind you are knowingly returning to your accounts. I've decided from 2021 I will delete all social media apps and logout on the PC (except FB msgr which I consider essential). When you're so deep into poor social media habits it's difficult to actually realise how time consuming and destructive it is.

    • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 21:59

      Thanks for sharing your experience.

  • zilver on 30/12/2020 - 22:27
    +2

    Hope this isn't impolite. I feel like we both know you have some mental affect influencing your thinking here. Many people are misunderstanding it as conspiracy or drugs, but I would just suggest to you that you shouldn't worry about this kind of thing and you should instead concentrate on the underlying issues that make you worry about it in the first place. No offence as it is very common and understandable. Personally I deleted my account and find myself preferirng to keep in touch with the most important people by chat rather than wasting time and collecting people. It's not very fulfilling to me and ends up manipulating your mentality. My guess is that might briefly assauge your paranoia and schism about having or not having account, but only by replacing it with a new anxiety. The grass is always greener on the other side and you will eventually may feel you are not getting value of it. Somebody could easily make a opposing argument (even I could) so to me the reality is that this is something that is symptomatic rather than causative. I never even think about these things, and all the (valid) points you have discussed are just minor setdressing in one tiny part of my life, I would never be so dialectical about it.

  • SF3 on 30/12/2020 - 23:05

    There is a term in Japan, known as otaku, extended definition.

    No offence but interestingly your forum posts and deals have close similarities.

    • thebadmachine on 30/12/2020 - 23:40

      Yes thanks for your comment. Interesting to read.
      Understand it may appears that way, and agree with having obsessive nature just day to day.
      Always had interest in electronics & anything to do with audio, so that is how it began with posting deals on audio products, only recently started posting computer stuff.
      A lot of deals on electronic products and they are a minority of deals (mostly get little upvotes / comments / interest), so maybe gives motivation to post them for others with similar interests looking for deals.
      And yes keep to myself mostly, maybe have poor social skills (how to know if your social activity is minimal).

      “Obsessive enthusiast” eheh yes funny you are likely correct.
      Equivalent of “geek” or “nerd” yes makes sense, this word used to be insult, now is accepted description.
      Guess those who are real “otaku” prefer for it to be negative (like when it is cool to be disliked), and then others wants it to be “positive”(thinking that’s what otaku wants).
      And if you are referring to the “anime” profile pictures or links posted etc sorry to disappoint but, it is only attempts to be “cool”. Actually think the whole nerdy / anime culture is cool, but have zero experience so if a real “otaku” approached they would quickly discover lack of knowledge (barely any knowledge of anime or computers).

  • Charybdia on 31/12/2020 - 00:13
    +7

    Ozbargain is becoming such a bizarre place.

    • belongsinforums on 31/12/2020 - 22:17

      there's nothing new under the sun. source: i was there when msn chatrooms were huge

  • Mosher on 31/12/2020 - 08:48

    I have never had a facebook snapchat or twitter account and I'll never will

    I am a member of Ozbargain and whirlpool and Blu Ray.com but that's it

  • Lord Fart Bucket on 31/12/2020 - 09:15
    +1

    You might as well go for option 2, since you're willing to let other make decisions for you.

  • ozbargainer88 on 31/12/2020 - 09:34
    +3

    What is it about Ozbargain forums that attract so many nutters?

  • 7ekn00 on 31/12/2020 - 09:48

    Before deciding, have a watch of "Social Dilemma" on Netflix, the affects of "Tribes" is very real :/
    7

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