The Truth About Instagram
Introductions are overrated.
And I'm not overrated. So I'm not gonna do an intro.
Which reminds me...do you know something that is overrated?
Instagram.
Well, social media in general, now that I think about it. But Instagram especially holds a deep space in my heart. I got Instagram just a few weeks ago, and in that brief amount of time it almost destroyed me.
As it turns out, Instagram is like a black hole for personality. It sucks people in and destroys them, little by little, until they become just another following slave towards it, no purpose in life, no happiness, just fake smiles.
In fact, I'm going to go as far as to say that Instagram actually encourages mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, FOMO (fear of missing out), eating disorders, and so much more.
Let me recap my experiences with Instagram. I got my account a few weeks ago, and the first thing I noticed as I started following my friends was their follower count. Some people had 50 followers, others a 100, some at 1000, and so on. And these were all people that I knew at school, so it seemed almost like a popularity contest - the more people follow you, the "better known" you are, and that reigns in respect and power. In a way, I guess that's true - having more people like you and respect you and your views can basically guide you towards success, but I don't think you can apply to that to the online kingdom. By what I've heard, often times followers are merely random people following someone to gain the same thing back. They're hoping to help each other look more successful.
Honestly though, I think most times it's a one way thing. Someone follows you, and (unless you know them personally) you just smile towards your phone and accept it.
The funny thing is, I say all this, and yet I myself am guilty of doing it. The second I saw my friends' follower numbers, I immediately tried following everyone I knew in hopes they'd follow me back and I'd have a higher count. But at the same time, I didn't want to follow too many people, because then my Instagram would show that I follow more people than people follow me, and I don't want people to think I'm desperate for attention. Except I am. And so is everyone else on Insta.
Now that I got that out of the way, let's go to the actual worst thing: posts.
I get that there are pros to posting stuff. Instagram has a whole other tab (tab? is that right?) dedicated to just posts that can vary from memes to dances to art to fashion and protests and politics and anything else that rocks your boat. And that's great, because I myself enjoy scrolling through that part of Instagram and laughing at funny sponge bob posts while also keeping up with the latest news and trends. I appreciate all that, and I thank Insta for doing that.
But I'm talking about the other part of Insta - the "social" in social media. Friends posting pictures about what's going on in their daily lives, showing off their accomplishments, going through a bunch of filters for that "perfect picture" look.
It's awfully degrading, and I truly think that it's all just a social ploy.
Why do I say that?
Most people post pictures of themselves to show that they "have a life". But at the same time, you've gotta look at the kind of pictures they're taking. See, it's all just a validation game. If you were to scroll down someone's popular Instagram page, chances are you'll only see the best of the best pictures - pictures with their friends, at a restaurant, going to the movies, competitions, full face of makeup, anything that sells the picture. People who do that want to let people know that "hey, I'm living a great life, I have friends to hang out with, I have places to be, and I'm just living in the moment."
Ha ha..how cute.
But honey, if you're a high school child like I am, chances are you're just making up for your FOMO.
Chances are, the mere idea of posting things like that came from peer pressure from someone who succumbed into the same trap as you did.
And the cycle never ends.
It's not just that, but it also creates bad vibes for others. Scrolling through your friends posts and seeing how much of a great time they're having, how fun their life is, only makes you more miserable.
It doesn't matter what you're doing - suddenly, it's just I can't do anything useful in my life. Suddenly, your comparing your life to that of someone else. Suddenly, you want to be just like them, but 9 out of 10 times, you can't walk into the same kinds of opportunities they got to.
And that cycle also never ends.
Oh, and not to mention, likes and comments on posts. See, the funny thing is you can put as many posts as you'd like on Instagram, whether they're taken by a professional photographer or your mom. But no matter how much you post, it "doesn't matter" if people don't like your posts. That's when you find yourself comparing your likes to someone else's posts too.
"Becky got 200 likes for her photo, but I only go 40"
But when are people going to get it? It really doesn't matter how many people like your post, or how many followers you have, or any of it. Because social media life is one thing, but that doesn't reflect who you are in reality, not even close to it.
I know too many kids who are absolutely snobbish and unpopular in the real world, but the second they're on Instagram, BAM 945 likes on a picture of them at the beach with 60 comments reading "beautiful, gorgeous, lovely," the whole shebang.
Yeah, sure, but you're never going to be "gorgeous" with that attitude in the real world.
Oh yeah, and by the way, just cause you're popular on Instagram DOESN'T mean you're an automatic success!
If I'm being honest, I'm sure any old troll can go on social media, slap on some good posts and start gaining popularity in a snap.
But imagine going into a job interview and having the boss asking you, "So, what are your talents?"
"Well, I'm great at holding up the peace symbol in every angle"
"Ma'am, this is a job for account-"
"Oh did I mention I have around 1400 followers?"
"Well, that is-"
"I can also make the perfect selfie with my homes while I'm driving"
"Is that even lega-"
"Did I mention my other Insta account? That one has 1200-"
"Ma'am I'm going to ask you to leave."
"Aw what a shame - well, can't wait to make a live rant about it! Make sure to follow me @krispykaylie29138!!!"
If that's how real life worked and you could actually get a job from being popular from Instagram...let's just say that we might just spiral down to feudalism all over again.
Here's just some parting advice I have for Instagram slaves like you and I:
- Some posts are just unbearable, and I get it. Whether it might be because it's all posh or it makes you feel nostalgic or left out, or upset in any way at all - mute 'em. Mute their stories and posts and everything. They'll never know you did it, and you never need to know about their life.
- Ignore followers and followees. Instead of trying to load up on a bunch of followers, make actual friends and communicate through Instagram instead of using it as a popularity machines. That way you get friends on the way!
- Don't post as much. Posting only means you seek validation. No one really needs to know what's happening in your life every day. Limit yourself, whether it has to be one every week or just one per day. Instead, focus on the now and don't waste your time on then. It's like recording a performance - you won't really get the full experience if you're looking at the whole act through an iPhone the whole time when the real thing is right in front of your face.
- Love yourself! It's cheesy, but it's also good advice. You gotta stop comparing yourself to others and appreciate what you have rather than what you don't have.
- And if you really wanna push it, just delete Instagram. Delete it for a day, or even a few weeks, and see how much your life changes without it. It'll take some getting used to if you're someone who posts their thoughts every day, but trust me, it can really open your eyes.
That's as much of an argument I have in me for today, but sometimes new opinions can change the world.
If anyone agrees or have something more to say, feel free to comment down below.
Otherwise, this has been Ganga Prasanth, and I'll see you for the next post!
Instagram.
As it turns out, Instagram is like a black hole for personality. It sucks people in and destroys them, little by little, until they become just another following slave towards it, no purpose in life, no happiness, just fake smiles.
In fact, I'm going to go as far as to say that Instagram actually encourages mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, FOMO (fear of missing out), eating disorders, and so much more.
Let me recap my experiences with Instagram. I got my account a few weeks ago, and the first thing I noticed as I started following my friends was their follower count. Some people had 50 followers, others a 100, some at 1000, and so on. And these were all people that I knew at school, so it seemed almost like a popularity contest - the more people follow you, the "better known" you are, and that reigns in respect and power. In a way, I guess that's true - having more people like you and respect you and your views can basically guide you towards success, but I don't think you can apply to that to the online kingdom. By what I've heard, often times followers are merely random people following someone to gain the same thing back. They're hoping to help each other look more successful.
Honestly though, I think most times it's a one way thing. Someone follows you, and (unless you know them personally) you just smile towards your phone and accept it.
The funny thing is, I say all this, and yet I myself am guilty of doing it. The second I saw my friends' follower numbers, I immediately tried following everyone I knew in hopes they'd follow me back and I'd have a higher count. But at the same time, I didn't want to follow too many people, because then my Instagram would show that I follow more people than people follow me, and I don't want people to think I'm desperate for attention. Except I am. And so is everyone else on Insta.
Now that I got that out of the way, let's go to the actual worst thing: posts.
I get that there are pros to posting stuff. Instagram has a whole other tab (tab? is that right?) dedicated to just posts that can vary from memes to dances to art to fashion and protests and politics and anything else that rocks your boat. And that's great, because I myself enjoy scrolling through that part of Instagram and laughing at funny sponge bob posts while also keeping up with the latest news and trends. I appreciate all that, and I thank Insta for doing that.
But I'm talking about the other part of Insta - the "social" in social media. Friends posting pictures about what's going on in their daily lives, showing off their accomplishments, going through a bunch of filters for that "perfect picture" look.
It's awfully degrading, and I truly think that it's all just a social ploy.
Why do I say that?
Most people post pictures of themselves to show that they "have a life". But at the same time, you've gotta look at the kind of pictures they're taking. See, it's all just a validation game. If you were to scroll down someone's popular Instagram page, chances are you'll only see the best of the best pictures - pictures with their friends, at a restaurant, going to the movies, competitions, full face of makeup, anything that sells the picture. People who do that want to let people know that "hey, I'm living a great life, I have friends to hang out with, I have places to be, and I'm just living in the moment."
Ha ha..how cute.
But honey, if you're a high school child like I am, chances are you're just making up for your FOMO.
Chances are, the mere idea of posting things like that came from peer pressure from someone who succumbed into the same trap as you did.
And the cycle never ends.
It's not just that, but it also creates bad vibes for others. Scrolling through your friends posts and seeing how much of a great time they're having, how fun their life is, only makes you more miserable.
It doesn't matter what you're doing - suddenly, it's just I can't do anything useful in my life. Suddenly, your comparing your life to that of someone else. Suddenly, you want to be just like them, but 9 out of 10 times, you can't walk into the same kinds of opportunities they got to.
And that cycle also never ends.
Oh, and not to mention, likes and comments on posts. See, the funny thing is you can put as many posts as you'd like on Instagram, whether they're taken by a professional photographer or your mom. But no matter how much you post, it "doesn't matter" if people don't like your posts. That's when you find yourself comparing your likes to someone else's posts too.
"Becky got 200 likes for her photo, but I only go 40"
I know too many kids who are absolutely snobbish and unpopular in the real world, but the second they're on Instagram, BAM 945 likes on a picture of them at the beach with 60 comments reading "beautiful, gorgeous, lovely," the whole shebang.
Yeah, sure, but you're never going to be "gorgeous" with that attitude in the real world.
Oh yeah, and by the way, just cause you're popular on Instagram DOESN'T mean you're an automatic success!
If I'm being honest, I'm sure any old troll can go on social media, slap on some good posts and start gaining popularity in a snap.
But imagine going into a job interview and having the boss asking you, "So, what are your talents?"
"Well, I'm great at holding up the peace symbol in every angle"
"Ma'am, this is a job for account-"
"Oh did I mention I have around 1400 followers?"
"Well, that is-"
"I can also make the perfect selfie with my homes while I'm driving"
"Is that even lega-"
"Did I mention my other Insta account? That one has 1200-"
"Ma'am I'm going to ask you to leave."
"Aw what a shame - well, can't wait to make a live rant about it! Make sure to follow me @krispykaylie29138!!!"
If that's how real life worked and you could actually get a job from being popular from Instagram...let's just say that we might just spiral down to feudalism all over again.
Here's just some parting advice I have for Instagram slaves like you and I:
- Some posts are just unbearable, and I get it. Whether it might be because it's all posh or it makes you feel nostalgic or left out, or upset in any way at all - mute 'em. Mute their stories and posts and everything. They'll never know you did it, and you never need to know about their life.
- Ignore followers and followees. Instead of trying to load up on a bunch of followers, make actual friends and communicate through Instagram instead of using it as a popularity machines. That way you get friends on the way!
- Don't post as much. Posting only means you seek validation. No one really needs to know what's happening in your life every day. Limit yourself, whether it has to be one every week or just one per day. Instead, focus on the now and don't waste your time on then. It's like recording a performance - you won't really get the full experience if you're looking at the whole act through an iPhone the whole time when the real thing is right in front of your face.
- Love yourself! It's cheesy, but it's also good advice. You gotta stop comparing yourself to others and appreciate what you have rather than what you don't have.
- And if you really wanna push it, just delete Instagram. Delete it for a day, or even a few weeks, and see how much your life changes without it. It'll take some getting used to if you're someone who posts their thoughts every day, but trust me, it can really open your eyes.
That's as much of an argument I have in me for today, but sometimes new opinions can change the world.
If anyone agrees or have something more to say, feel free to comment down below.
Otherwise, this has been Ganga Prasanth, and I'll see you for the next post!
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