{"id":1361,"date":"2025-01-11T20:59:06","date_gmt":"2025-01-12T03:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/branli.me\/?p=1361"},"modified":"2025-01-11T20:59:34","modified_gmt":"2025-01-12T03:59:34","slug":"this-world-is-on-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/branli.me\/?p=1361","title":{"rendered":"This World Is On Fire"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Social Media Going Forward<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a noticeable shift happening in social media, and it\u2019s not for the better. As the online climate becomes more divisive and hostile, the semi-anonymity of the internet continues to embolden cruelty. Many platforms have pretty much surrendered content moderation under the guise of protecting “free speech.” However, free speech, a protection against government censorship, is being used as a shield by private companies as a way to refuse to uphold basic human decency. I highly doubt the founding fathers intended this right to justify trolling, misinformation, and outright deceit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The loudest voices calling for “free speech” often react most aggressively when their harmful content faces moderation. They\u2019re not being censored\u2014they\u2019re being called out for spreading lies and enabling harm. Free speech has limits, like libel and slander laws. It\u2019s baffling how many people think the right to free speech should be absolute in the private sector too. Even some political leaders echo this idea in the media, though most haven\u2019t attempted to legislate it\u2014yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve seen what happens when platforms take a lax approach to content moderation. Look no further than what Twitter has devolved into: a cesspool of hate, vitriol, and misinformation. When this neglect spreads, it has real-world consequences. I\u2019ve personally watched friends fall victim to lies and start dipping their toes into recreational hate, often targeting marginalized communities. It\u2019s a distraction\u2014a political sleight of hand meant to keep the public from focusing on real issues. Don\u2019t take the bait and engage in recreational hate!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This slow boil of negativity is starting to steam over, and I\u2019m choosing to step back before it gets worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The days of polite, curious, and human engagement on social media feel long gone. Remember when the novelty of talking to someone across the world sparked genuine interest in learning about each other\u2019s lives? Now, the focus has shifted to division. Engagement metrics\u2014clicks, comments, shares\u2014have become the currency, and hate sells. Hate fuels more hate, and I\u2019ve had enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m not deleting my Facebook account, but I will be reducing my presence. This may involve setting a specific time to check the platform, removing the app from my home screen, uninstalling it from my phone, or limiting access to my personal computer only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve even considered launching my own social platform using open-source software like Friendica. However, I\u2019ve been down a similar path before. When I experimented with Mastodon, the hosting costs for even a small community of five users quickly became unsustainable\u2014around $50 to $80 per month!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, I\u2019m redirecting my social media time to Threads, Mastodon, and BlueSky<\/a>. My friends are scattered across these platforms, so I\u2019m maintaining all three, even if it sounds overwhelming. To simplify, I\u2019m using a service called Micro.blog<\/a>, which lets me post to all three simultaneously and even reply from the same app. It works for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This shift isn\u2019t just about leaving toxic spaces\u2014it’s part of a broader personal journey. I want to focus on what I can control: my mindset, my growth, and how I engage with the world. I can\u2019t control the flood of misinformation or the hostility online, but I can control how I react to it\u2014by choosing not to engage in it. This self-reflection is something I plan to explore more here on my blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At one point, I even debated creating a website dedicated entirely to good news. Cheesy? Maybe. But I’ve found that micro-dosing positivity can be surprisingly effective in a world that feels like it\u2019s losing its mind. Unfortunately, the reality of running such a site hit hard: it would require constant fact-checking, research, and writing just to maintain a steady flow of reliable positive stories. It would be a full-time job, so I decided against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, I\u2019ll use this blog to share what\u2019s keeping me grounded\u2014how this introspective journey is going, the tools I\u2019ve discovered along the way, and anything that brings me a bit of peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know some of my friends feel the same. Several have already left Facebook and Meta platforms entirely, moving to group chats on Signal<\/a>. With recent national security concerns over traditional SMS vulnerabilities, this was an added bonus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve also changed how I consume news. The \u201cboth sides\u201d reporting style has grown frustrating, especially when it amplifies misinformation. Giving harmful rhetoric a platform feels as reckless as a parent giving a child equal say in an argument about drinking from the cleaning supplies cabinet (please don\u2019t do that). It\u2019s eroded my trust in many mainstream outlets. While I still follow some corporate media, I’ve shifted toward more independent sources where content is multi-sourced, and the hosts aren\u2019t answering to billionaires. I highly recommend doing the same for your own mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is my current news source diet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n