RIGHT UP YOUR SPECTRUM –
April 9, 2024 – The “new thing” is better, of course. Its creators are gods, but few win enough power to play god. “The Social Network” (2010) depicts just that: the beginning of Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg’s rise to worldwide fame for its creation. Even 15 years later, the film feels just as timely as ever.
Other, more prominent social media platforms have gained significant popularity, following the footsteps of Facebook and building an entire industry dedicated to content, followers, and likes.
As someone who grew up with Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat as integral parts of my social life, it’s hard to imagine a time when you couldn’t click on an icon and find out every minute detail about a stranger’s life.
It’s hard to understand the gravity of it, too. From a young age, the “addictive” qualities of social media have been preached to me, albeit in one ear and out the other. So what if I spend an hour every morning scrolling, even before I get out of bed?
Admittedly, I’ve realized more recently that this behavior is, in fact, the definition of addiction. When something begins to affect the time you spend with other people, or the time you spend (or don’t spend) on your responsibilities, it’s almost like a punch to the face. The hours logged on Instagram and days spent on Tiktok add up too quickly, and the reality of it becomes, well, real.
