Summary
Highlights
The speaker opens by noting the irony of seeing social media posts condemning social media. She highlights how schools often focus on the dangers of social media, leading to a prevalent idea that it's a 'horrible thing,' rather than teaching safe and beneficial usage. This creates a skewed perception, where people only associate social media with negative outcomes like catfishing or kidnapping, neglecting its potential for good.
Drawing a parallel to children's books that teach lessons subtly, the speaker explains that all content we consume, including social media, shapes our view of the world. She cites a book, 'The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down,' which states the world is neutral, and our perception is based on individual experiences. Since most people don't interact with a large percentage of the global population, social media becomes a primary way to learn about life outside our immediate bubble. Therefore, a social media feed full of negativity will naturally lead to a more negative world view, while a positive feed fosters a more optimistic outlook.
To cultivate a positive social media experience, the speaker recommends following four types of people. First, 'friends, family, and positive acquaintances,' emphasizing the importance of removing toxic contacts. Second, 'people who align with your goals,' as following those who have achieved what you aspire to can provide guidance and inspiration. Third, 'people who inspire you,' even if their path no longer directly aligns with your current goals, their past achievements can still motivate. Lastly, 'entertainers,' acknowledging social media's role as an entertainment platform, but urging mindfulness about the type of entertainment consumed, ensuring it promotes positive feelings.
The speaker shares a personal anecdote about discovering a program called BETA Camp through an Instagram ad. By having her social media reflect her goals (business and entrepreneurship), the algorithm presented her with opportunities that aligned with those aspirations. She successfully participated in the program, creating a revenue-generating startup, and subsequently received a fellowship for further learning. This illustrates how social media platforms, driven by algorithms that feed users content based on their interactions and follows, can open doors to beneficial experiences when curated mindfully.
The speaker concludes with two calls to action. Firstly, to be mindful of the content consumed, actively inviting positivity and blocking negativity. Secondly, to stop perpetuating the idea that social media is inherently bad. Instead, she advocates for educating others on the potential dangers while simultaneously encouraging them to utilize the platforms in a positive and constructive manner. She reinforces this message with a modified quote: 'Nothing of me is original. I’m a combined effort of everyone I’ve ever known and the content I’ve surrounded myself with,' underscoring the profound impact of our digital environment.