Before - Social media's impact


In today's world, the notion of empathy is very much lost and I believe the main reason for that is the overconsumption of social media applications since spending so much time on these platforms is lacking our skills to really interact and understand each other. We are so used to looking at our phones when we are bored (even if we are with somebody) that we get less chance to practice empathy. The second the conversation becomes awkward or dull, we immediately grab our phones to check what other people are doing on Instagram as if it is the most significant thing of that moment. It is not, or at least it should not be. 

This issue has become my main focus nowadays. I want to investigate this loss of empathy from different aspects. What are the algorithms and design decisions that make these platforms so addictive? Which strategies are these people or companies using to have such a chilling impact on human activity and psychology? Are they intentionally making these decisions just to make people use their platforms or is there a deeper story in the background? Lastly, I really want to understand how the human brain processes these strategies. Why has depression and anxiety become such a common mental illness, especially among GenZ?

My approach for this particular issue is much more academic than artistic since I personally believe that deeply understanding the major impact of social media phenomena will enhance my viewpoint as a designer as well.


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