Right, and it’s really interesting how the Snapchat researchers demonstrate that in spite of its apparent “privacy”, Snapchat actually becomes a vehicle for public shaming, which is discussed as part of the #1 public conversation of a particular social group.

Interesting. And so with age group differences, the uses seem different as well. Facebook might be more rampant with conspiracy theories of extreme kinds, because it is typically not the high school age people who make up and spread those.

But what you mention about trends WITHIN a platform–the types of filters people use, for example–is…[Read more]

I’m certain that the disparities factor into identity formation. I didn’t grow up with the internet for example, partially because of my age, partially because of my cultural background, and I think that this is reflected in my attitudes toward identity formation, which I see as a much more “material” (as opposed to digital/virtual) process. But…[Read more]

You bring up two contradictory points: yes, the internet has made more information available globally, and yet, as you say, people interact mostly with local content. How does–or does–the internet and social media in particular produce a more global humanity, in which different people come together?

Surely, the smaller likelihood of conversation on Pinterest does have some effect–but which one? This is a question the authors of the article aren’t sure about either. Does lack of conversation mean lack of engagement, or does it mean that harmful content is just allowed to stand?
And then the context really matters. If you’re discussing…[Read more]

Hmm. I think there’s a larger question here about how “glocal” cultures are formed, or more specifically: which “glocal” cultures can form and in response to what? It seems that it might be easier to form international solidarity when it’s against a perceived threat. But Islamophobia doesn’t seem like a progressive or ideal basis to build a…[Read more]

But based on our earlier discussions, and this article as well, how do images impact “readers” differently than texts do? And what accounts for the difference in the two image-based social media platforms?

You raise the important question of context: the same content can have highly different effects based on what context it appears in.

But what counts as creative and/or original?

And is there a difference if an influencer is bought by a company, that is, sponsored by a company so that their followers should pay attention to the company as well?

I’m curious about Trump’s originality. Certainly there is something new about him, somehow he has an ability to shift what counts as truth-telling. Maybe the style is so new that it registers to people as shocking, hence, somehow, true.

I really wonder whether, as you suggest, Trump is more accurately described as an influencer than as a politician. But if this is the case, what does this mean exactly?

What about Caroline? What was she hooked on? I’m really fascinated by this almost addictive aspect of the story.

I’m curious to hear you speak to why something is being sold that cannot be delivered? Is that specific to social media?

Well, they do ask questions about happiness and “satisfaction with life.” But all these concepts are very unclear, and might mean very different things for different people.

I wanted you folks to read this article because I find their findings so challenging. Their method seems legit, but I have a hard time thinking that images would…[Read more]

That’s a great point. Yes, doesn’t social media sometimes show to us what we don’t have, rather than console us with it?

So where do you think the flaws in Pittman and Reich might be? Their evidence seems fairly clear…but how could one explain their results?

That is such a great point. Yes, I wonder if social media’s ability (or lack of it) to decrease loneliness changes depending on what our alternatives are.

I think social media can also, on occasion, make us feel lonelier, because rather than not seeing our friends, we’re seeing their absence: we’re seeing that they’re not here, not with us.…[Read more]

Also, on a second thought. One might very well be alone and yet not be lonely.

Great question. What is loneliness exactly: is a state of the body that might exist in it even without the person knowing it? Or is it a feeling we’re always aware of, even if it cannot be measured scientifically?

Yes, I agree that the findings of this study are shocking. Yet, I wouldn’t necessarily rely on a “quick Google search” either as evidence to the contrary.

The question of images that you raise is central. Do images have psychological effects on our bodies that we aren’t even aware of necessarily? Even if we don’t want to accept Pittman and…[Read more]