Social media was meant to be a blessing and has turned out to be a downfall. I left Twitter in December because it was slowly destroying me. I was exhausted of campaigning against racism, fascism, anti-Semitism, Russian trolls and other filth.
It was very interesting for me to read some of your thoughts, since I am currently working on my own article about how Instagram has harmed my art and creativity. I have already written the first part, but the more I look into it and I reflect on myself, the more I begin to see how profound these changes are, affecting not only my art, but also the way I think, work and interact with people. So I want to write about that as well and this is how I came across your article.
It is ironic, in a way, that it is the SOCIAL media which made us all feel very isolated. Even now, as I am writing this, I realize that I have lost the skill and the motivation behind genuinely interacting with people online. It wasn't always like this, but after spending years on Instagram, where deep and meaningful communication is rare, I find this feeling of reaching out to other people foreign and a little bit awkward. It's not easy to undo this programming of the social media. Or should I say ANTI-social media eheh
As for the post-social media world - I've never thought about it this way.... hmm.. I wonder what it would look like?.. I'm afraid it might be a mess, because of the mental/psychological damage it has inflicted upon all of us. I am going to explore this in more detail in my next article, but to make it very short, I believe that the problem is not only the isolation and loss of proper communication skills, but it has also affected our self-esteem. Speaking from the point of view of an artist, if I am creating "content" (drawings and artworks, actually, I hate to call it CONTENT) and there is little "engagement" over the course of several years, if I fail to attract new following and nobody is liking or even noticing my art, of course I am going to internalize this, thinking that something is wrong with my drawings, that I'm probably not (doing) enough, that I am a failure, not a good artist (or a writer). This is a huge blow to an Ego, and thus it might be indeed difficult or almost impossible to feel worthy charging money for the art or writing you are making. Kind of like being programmed for failure by the feedback loop you've got on the social media platform. (Yet at the same time, money is being made from us creating content for the platform, to keep each other glued to it) It's really sick... and sad!
It is just my perspective, but I thought I would share. This is why I do think that it is theoretically still possible to earn with what you like, however if you have sustained such a heavy blow to your self-worth and self-esteem as a creative (who is usually already more sensitive to rejection), this might become very challenging indeed. But I want to believe that it's not impossible, if there is a will..
Good luck with what you are doing and have a kind day!
I love that you quoted Kyle Fitzpatrick from the Trend Report.
In line with what you're saying, they also said: "Getting paid to “do the thing you love” as a creative is not reality: it’s an unreal promise that the tech industry gave us, to exploit us before discarding us — and we’re at the end of that lifecycle."
Love everything about this post Seth--thank you!! And ok, wow--who is this lovely man HINDZ? Oh my! I hope he has some sort of online platform where he reads bedtime stories to people? What a soul-soother. Thanks for sharing your words of encouragement and his!! Needed this today (and everyday)! 😉
Great post and message Seth (and not just because my zine and ducks are featured!) We need community as artists, and there are many ways beyond social media to make those connections.
I used to believe that I should do what I love, and success will come. But recently I was made clear to me that this is not true, at least not always.
The famous Steve Job's quote says "Love what you do" - it is NOT "Do what you Love"!
This is very clear to me, and I've plenty enough example of people wasting time trying to do what they love and no success came to them.
The Survivor Bias is indeed very prevalent in our society, and we often times are blinded to the success of this one person, and forget that there were millions that failed.
Btwy, great video about focus there, I'm also using an app to keep my focus and reduce my time on screen.
I've come to learn that it was not at all a coincidence that once I found a community of co-workers (who are awesome humans), and then sought out and nurtured beautiful soul-quenching friendships within that community I was able to walk away from social media for good. And goodness did my creativity take off! In the words of T. Swift 'we are never ever, ever – getting back together!'.
Thanks for such an inspiring post. Hosting a real life meet up has been on my to do list for ages but keeps getting pushed down the priority pile. Thanks for reminding me how important it is.
I've been trying to get paid doing what I love, and after 25+ years (yes, I'm stubborn) I have to conclude something similar. I don't think it's entirely impossible but you need a bunch of privileges and luck.
If it’s not possible to get paid doing what we love…what’s the alternative that’s not going back to toxic work places? I’m curious to hear more about why you think this is a fallacy or a false narrative we’re fed from big tech. ☺️
Seth you’re such an inspiration ! Let’s do it, let’s connect, we’re more powerful than they are, if we don’t trust them anymore and go somewhere else/ do something else, what’s they gonna do ?
I love this. I’ve been reading Lynda Berry’s Making Comics for the past month and working up to making a zine. So many links in this post are ideally timed for what I’m thinking about and doing! Thank you for continuing to inspire!
Social media was meant to be a blessing and has turned out to be a downfall. I left Twitter in December because it was slowly destroying me. I was exhausted of campaigning against racism, fascism, anti-Semitism, Russian trolls and other filth.
Thank you for this post!
It was very interesting for me to read some of your thoughts, since I am currently working on my own article about how Instagram has harmed my art and creativity. I have already written the first part, but the more I look into it and I reflect on myself, the more I begin to see how profound these changes are, affecting not only my art, but also the way I think, work and interact with people. So I want to write about that as well and this is how I came across your article.
It is ironic, in a way, that it is the SOCIAL media which made us all feel very isolated. Even now, as I am writing this, I realize that I have lost the skill and the motivation behind genuinely interacting with people online. It wasn't always like this, but after spending years on Instagram, where deep and meaningful communication is rare, I find this feeling of reaching out to other people foreign and a little bit awkward. It's not easy to undo this programming of the social media. Or should I say ANTI-social media eheh
As for the post-social media world - I've never thought about it this way.... hmm.. I wonder what it would look like?.. I'm afraid it might be a mess, because of the mental/psychological damage it has inflicted upon all of us. I am going to explore this in more detail in my next article, but to make it very short, I believe that the problem is not only the isolation and loss of proper communication skills, but it has also affected our self-esteem. Speaking from the point of view of an artist, if I am creating "content" (drawings and artworks, actually, I hate to call it CONTENT) and there is little "engagement" over the course of several years, if I fail to attract new following and nobody is liking or even noticing my art, of course I am going to internalize this, thinking that something is wrong with my drawings, that I'm probably not (doing) enough, that I am a failure, not a good artist (or a writer). This is a huge blow to an Ego, and thus it might be indeed difficult or almost impossible to feel worthy charging money for the art or writing you are making. Kind of like being programmed for failure by the feedback loop you've got on the social media platform. (Yet at the same time, money is being made from us creating content for the platform, to keep each other glued to it) It's really sick... and sad!
It is just my perspective, but I thought I would share. This is why I do think that it is theoretically still possible to earn with what you like, however if you have sustained such a heavy blow to your self-worth and self-esteem as a creative (who is usually already more sensitive to rejection), this might become very challenging indeed. But I want to believe that it's not impossible, if there is a will..
Good luck with what you are doing and have a kind day!
I love that you quoted Kyle Fitzpatrick from the Trend Report.
In line with what you're saying, they also said: "Getting paid to “do the thing you love” as a creative is not reality: it’s an unreal promise that the tech industry gave us, to exploit us before discarding us — and we’re at the end of that lifecycle."
Love everything about this post Seth--thank you!! And ok, wow--who is this lovely man HINDZ? Oh my! I hope he has some sort of online platform where he reads bedtime stories to people? What a soul-soother. Thanks for sharing your words of encouragement and his!! Needed this today (and everyday)! 😉
Great post and message Seth (and not just because my zine and ducks are featured!) We need community as artists, and there are many ways beyond social media to make those connections.
Thanks for this Seth, it's inspiring!
I used to believe that I should do what I love, and success will come. But recently I was made clear to me that this is not true, at least not always.
The famous Steve Job's quote says "Love what you do" - it is NOT "Do what you Love"!
This is very clear to me, and I've plenty enough example of people wasting time trying to do what they love and no success came to them.
The Survivor Bias is indeed very prevalent in our society, and we often times are blinded to the success of this one person, and forget that there were millions that failed.
Btwy, great video about focus there, I'm also using an app to keep my focus and reduce my time on screen.
I actually wrote about this recently where I featured Opal (and others): https://lifeapprentice.substack.com/p/11-tips-to-fight-social-media-addiction
Just one thing to say....I am SO GLAD I found your newsletter. I love reading shit that validates my inner being 😁
I've come to learn that it was not at all a coincidence that once I found a community of co-workers (who are awesome humans), and then sought out and nurtured beautiful soul-quenching friendships within that community I was able to walk away from social media for good. And goodness did my creativity take off! In the words of T. Swift 'we are never ever, ever – getting back together!'.
Thanks for such an inspiring post. Hosting a real life meet up has been on my to do list for ages but keeps getting pushed down the priority pile. Thanks for reminding me how important it is.
Thanks Seth, always enjoy reading your posts!
I've been trying to get paid doing what I love, and after 25+ years (yes, I'm stubborn) I have to conclude something similar. I don't think it's entirely impossible but you need a bunch of privileges and luck.
If it’s not possible to get paid doing what we love…what’s the alternative that’s not going back to toxic work places? I’m curious to hear more about why you think this is a fallacy or a false narrative we’re fed from big tech. ☺️
Remember when TV rotted our brains? Social media makes watching TV feel like a wholesome way to spend time!
yes yes yes (and thanks for the shout)
Seth you’re such an inspiration ! Let’s do it, let’s connect, we’re more powerful than they are, if we don’t trust them anymore and go somewhere else/ do something else, what’s they gonna do ?
I love this. I’ve been reading Lynda Berry’s Making Comics for the past month and working up to making a zine. So many links in this post are ideally timed for what I’m thinking about and doing! Thank you for continuing to inspire!
Thanks for including me Seth.