The other evening, I cosied up to watch ‘The Social Dilemma’ on Netflix. What was supposed to be a relaxing evening in front of the TV soon became a horrifying insight into the mysterious world of social media and the power it holds in our day-to-day lives.
I’m not a stranger to social media by any stretch of the imagination, I create social media strategies for clients at Commsbank, and I even wrote my dissertation about Instagram. But something about this documentary really got me questioning my social media habits. Has anybody else watched the social dilemma? I’d love to hear what you thought about it.
Replies
This documentary strongly makes the case for some kind of regulation/accountability for Facebook Twitter etc. Very difficult though that will be. You just have to see the divisive nature of Trump's Twitter feed on American society and those who feel they have to counter to realise how bad things are. Sadly it now has fed into the way people treat each other from a distance. Social media can be the cowards way of communication because they would never feel able to say these things to another person's face because of the consequences. We live in a time of very poor political leadership and bullying of all sorts. Facebook uses us all as their "product" because of that. Some companies are now withdrawing their advertising from Facebook in an effort to show their concern, which will be the only way that social media platforms such as Facebook will pay attention... when their revenues dry up! I'm not a pessimist but this documentary is very worrying. It should reach the widest audience so that people understand clearly what is being done with their data which they automatically agree to give away when they sign up.
Hi Iain, I agree - it's surprising it hasn't been regulated sooner! I'm always very thankful that I just missed growing up with social media being so present. After exploring Instagrams role on self-esteem while at university, I've been a bit wary, and this documentary adds to this.
To paraphrase the old Poker saying - If you can't spot the product a platform is trying to sell, it's you...YOU are the product.
All we are to these companies is a neatly organised package of data points and interactions that they can sell to their advertisers...or am I being too cynical?!
I agree, Iain... Our minds are advertising space to be filled! Interestingly that's exactly how we are described in the documentary - "It's the gradual, slight, imperceptible change in our own behaviour and perception that is the product."
Goodness I'm late to the party on this one. I'll have to put it on the watch list.
Hello Gillian! Please do let me know if you get round to it. It's been super interesting hearing everybody's perspective on it.
Watched it last night. Brilliant documentary and loved how they worked in the interview with some key players along with an on-going acted story. Really good!
Do you think it has changed your perspective on social media? Initially, I was spooked but a few weeks on and the platforms have reeled me back in...
Have hovered over the play button on this one a few times now, will definitely press play the next time!
You'll have to let us know what you think!
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next