Quitting Social Media: How To Declutter Life & Discover Your True Self Again | Cal Newport
Added: Apr 9, 2024
In this podcast episode, Cal Newport discusses a quiet revolt against social media that is gaining traction among artists. He highlights how artists are documenting and broadcasting their decision to leave social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok in favor of creating their own websites. This movement is driven by a desire to reclaim control over their art and escape the pressures of social media algorithms.Key takeaways
Artists are increasingly leaving social media platforms to regain control over their art, seeking freedom from the constraints and pressures of algorithmic models.
The distributed trust model offers a more authentic and diverse online experience, allowing for serendipitous discovery and higher quality curation through trust-based links.
While the algorithmic model of social media may offer the allure of virality, it often leads to conformity, attention manipulation, and a lack of individuality in content.
By adopting the distributed trust model, artists and creators can foster a community based on shared interests and values, encouraging the production of original and engaging content.
The evolution of social media towards prioritizing user engagement and addiction has raised concerns about its impact on creativity and mental well-being, highlighting the importance of mindful online habits.
The Revolt Against Social Media
Cal Newport showcases various videos from artists, where they express their frustrations with social media. These artists are tired of conforming to the limitations of social media platforms, such as fitting their art into specific formats or chasing algorithmic rewards. They feel that social media is making them unhappy, addicted, and focused on social validation rather than the true essence of their art.
The Algorithmic Model vs. Distributed Trust Model
Newport delves into the two main models of information dissemination on the internet. The algorithmic model, represented by a centralized platform with algorithms curating content for users, simplifies the process for consumers and offers creators the allure of virality. However, it also leads to conformity, attention manipulation, and a lack of individuality in content.
In contrast, the distributed trust model involves creators sharing their content through individual connections and building a network of trust-based links. This model allows for serendipitous discovery, higher quality curation, and the enforcement of community standards. While slower and requiring more effort from both creators and consumers, the distributed trust model fosters a more authentic and diverse online experience.
Benefits of the Distributed Trust Model
By leaving social media and embracing the distributed trust model, artists can regain control over their art, connect with audiences on a more personal level, and curate a community based on shared interests and values. This model encourages the production of original and engaging content, fosters meaningful connections, and promotes a more human-centered approach to online interactions.
Newport explains that the distributed trust model offers artists a better chance of making a full-time living compared to the algorithmic model. While the algorithmic model may give artists hope by increasing their followers, these followers may not necessarily translate into meaningful support. In contrast, the distributed trust model focuses on cultivating true fans who are willing to subscribe, purchase artwork, and attend events, providing a more sustainable income for artists.
Should Others Join the Revolt?
Newport suggests that anyone, not just artists, can benefit from adopting the distributed trust model. By exploring alternative ways of consuming and sharing content, such as newsletters, podcasts, and websites, individuals can escape the numbing distractions of social media and discover a more enriching online experience. Embracing the quirks and complexities of the internet, including the effort required to seek out and engage with diverse content, can lead to a deeper connection with information and a more fulfilling online presence.
Evolution of Social Media
Newport reflects on the evolution of social media platforms, noting that early platforms like Facebook focused on attracting users' attention rather than keeping them engaged. However, with the shift to mobile strategies in the 2010s, social media platforms began prioritizing user engagement and addiction. This shift has led to concerns about the negative impact of social media on creativity and mental well-being.
Newport discusses the work of Jaron Lanier and Jonathan Haidt in critiquing social media addiction and its impact on teenagers. He emphasizes the need for individuals to be mindful of their online habits and the potential consequences of excessive social media use.
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