The internet is a strange place that both brings out the best and worst in us. On one hand, it has led to advancements in connectivity, medicine, and learning. On the other hand, it has fueled a fake need for likes, pornography, and extremism in many facets. In some corners of the internet, there's a push for a new internet, often referred to as web3. Big companies have entered this space to carve out a lane for themselves, creating a lot of buzz that can be overwhelming. But what impact does this have on the average person?
There is a tweet I came across that stated “you’re still early to NFTs.” I really like NFT Now and find it to be a valuable online resource. They explain the internet and its fast-moving pace, with ever-changing technology very well. When it comes to web3 and being early, projects already have more money than many newcomers will ever have. Unfortunately, many people give up after putting everything they have into it. For every successful project like RugRadio, there are a hundred flops. Of course, we can always step outside and touch the grass. With the stress that web3 has brought, people need lots of time to relax.
Social media is a significant source of stress on the internet. In late 2021, Francis Haugen rocked the news cycle by sharing her work and knowledge of how the social media algorithm functions. She has worked for Google, Yelp, and Pinterest, but her time at Facebook gave her a deep understanding of the News Feed and the negative implications of the attention economy. A highlight of her whistleblowing was showing the negative effects on teenage girls, who ended up with self-esteem and self-worth problems. This entire article can speak to these issues and more. The point being is that there are serious issues surrounding social media and one's mental health.
The internet is home to many extreme ideas. COVID-19 locked many of us in our homes, and we found community and connectedness online. Zoom became a necessity in our lives, and TikTok took the world by storm, birthing many creators. At the same time, the world continued to be political, and we learned the impact of the 24-hour news cycle, which drove us insane.
Everyone became a news pundit and expert about whatever rolled under CNN and Fox News. The comments section became a battle field. Now our government is trying to assess if Meta and YouTube are internet service providers like your cable company. They also have been debating how to moderate people's comments and Section 230 as a whole.
What can we do? Disconnect! Dedicate time away from the internet. The constant state of flux is overwhelming. Things change and will change again. The same will happen tomorrow. It is essential to be mindful of not spending too much time on the internet. That way, we can break free from the mechanized routine of the day. We are locked in the 12-hour clock. Five days a week, we clock in, and a few hours later, we clock out. One of the changes in day-to-day life as a result of the pandemic is that people are trying to find work that gives them a sense of purpose instead of just waiting for Friday. Just like we dedicate time to work, we should also dedicate time to stepping away from the internet and spending time with people to become more intimate with them.
Another thing that can be done is to take up a hobby not involving a screen. For generations, people have always done something with our hands. It is a natural way to stimulate and work the senses. Art is something that therapists use for growth. This is especially effective for young children. Painting is an avenue to explore things deep within us. Feelings and emotions from deep can make their way up in the most creative ways. It is a chance to explore joys and pains resulting in closure. Interacting with nature is also very therapeutic. This is more than just “touching grass.” Going outside and working on self is shown to have great a effect on our wellbeing. Being present and mindful of the birds, trees, and the breeze around us takes a quiet inside voice. You experience a feeling of being grounded and connected. When you do return to the internet, you are present not only with your work but with yourself.
The third piece of advice is to seek help. Being on the internet is overwhelming. Echo chambers are real and have a negative side effect. Social media, forums, Twitter Spaces, and the like are ground for people to take advantage of emotions. With the improvements with large language models and internet algorithms, it is becoming easier and easier for bad actors to propagate whatever they want. Newt Gingrich was interviewed by CNN reporter Alisyn Camerota and stated that, “As a political candidate, I’ll go with how people feel and let you go with the theoreticians.” Be mindful when you read the news. How do those in power want to you to feel about what is going on? Is it right?
The internet is a strange place. When it was first put together decades ago, no one could have imagined what it turned out to be. From universities sharing information together to now social media and creativity, we have come a long way. At the same time, returning to something human is essential for our wellbeing. Find your creativity. Be intentful in how you spend your time. Substack, Twitter, the internet as a whole is not everything. Your experiences and time spent with people are. Do not be afraid or hesitant to seek help if you need it. With my day job as a prison chaplain, I come across many people who have never sat with their own sadness and that brought them to a dark place. Live with beauty.
Omar