3 ways to defend your mind against social media distortions

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In this Big Think video, Luke Burgis, Todd Rose , and Amishi Jha explore the intricacies of social media's influence on human desires, opinion, attention, and overall mental health.
The discussion encompasses the enticing nature of rapid opinion formation, the concept of mimetic desire and its amplification through digital platforms, and the profound implications of the 'Attention Economy' where user focus is commodified. They address the creation and consequences of digital illusions, offering a nuanced examination of social media's dual role as both a democratizing force and a potential source of toxicity.
Through their analysis, Burgis and Jha provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges posed by online interactions and suggest mindfulness as a tool for individuals to regain control over their attention and desires in an increasingly digital world. This presentation serves as a critical reflection on the modern digital landscape and its effects on society.
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About Luke Burgis:
Luke Burgis is a veteran entrepreneur and author. He’s the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship in Washington, DC, and the founder of Fourth Wall Ventures, an incubator that invests in people, art, and technology that contribute to a healthy human ecology. Luke studied business at NYU Stern before doing graduate work in philosophy and earning an S.T.B. in Theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. He’s the author of the book Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life, which popularized the work of cultural anthropologist René Girard. He lives with his wife, Claire, in the DC area.
About Todd Rose:
Todd Rose is the co-founder and president of Populace, a think tank committed to ensuring that all people have the opportunity to pursue fulfilling lives in a thriving society. Prior to Populace, he was a faculty member at Harvard University where he founded the Laboratory for the Science of Individuality and directed the Mind, Brain, and Education program. Todd is the best selling author of Collective Illusions, Dark Horse, and The End of Average. He lives in Burlington, Massachusetts.
About Amishi Jha:
Dr. Amishi Jha is an internationally renowned neuroscience researcher, speaker, and author in the fields of attention, resilience, and mindfulness. She studies how to keep the brain’s attention systems in peak shape over high-pressure intervals. Over the past two decades, she has conducted large-scale studies with the US Military, first responders, medical professionals, business leaders, elite sports teams, and more. Her research reveals that the science is clear: You can change your brain to become more attentive, present, and productive.

[@gato6358]

I recently left social media and only stayed with documentaries and videos for knowledge on youtube, best decision. I feel less anxious and stay within myself and put my attention on what matters. I no longer feel like i need to buy things to be happy or compare myself to others, i feel peace.

[@fahimshahriar2441]

Hey that's a great decision. Can you however suggest me some documentary channel.

[@amg11901]

Share some documentaries

[@user-vo3dn8fi9d]

literally what i'm doing now, and did not expect to see this comment

[@yasirumer2893]

Me too 2 years ago I deactivated Facebook then 2 months ago deactivated tweeter Instagram only using WhatsApp for call messages and KZbin for information watch movies

[@yasirumer2893]

And i activated my Facebook account for 15 minutes and deactivated instantly because i felt its toxicity

[@perry.playss]

Gave up social media 2 months ago and I’ve never felt so much clearer mentally. I don’t think people realise just how much social media messes with your mind. The introduction of short form content is one of the worst things to ever happen to human kind and I think people don’t talk enough about it.

[@JaySmith-pv2mw]

The two best things I've done in recent years are to stop watching the news and delete social media. Yes, sometimes I get lonely but I now devote my time, effort, focus and money on productive endeavors and people who deserve them.

[@FernandoVazquez-ro1nw]

Shows off about it on Social Media😂

[@jtheabsolutegamer]

@@FernandoVazquez-ro1nw You could make the case that this person you're belittling is literally on a more productivity-oriented side of social media which they might've found outside of KZbin.

[@user-lj9hv3zz9u]

Same except KZbin.

[@_-_-_-_-__--_-_-_]

you can even get addicted to this optimising productivity oriented side@@jtheabsolutegamer

[@LOFIMusic-wx5xu]

You forget this one…..🤔😉😂

[@luisgentil]

I have ADHD and over the years struggling with this avalanche of information we've been subjected to this last decade or so, I've come to realize how valuable my attention is. When I heard "your attention is the product" this realization became even clearer. They say that it takes on average 25 minutes to refocus once you're distracted. I don't know how much that is for ADHDers but probably a couple hours. If companies want your attention that's because it's valuable, so don't just give it away for nothing.

[@ihssene_]

I've been leading a life of peace since I got back to my old flip phone.. to be honest I do miss socials, I am constantly bored and want to see what people are doing but I know my life will be ruined entirely if I go near Instagram again.. GOD the hours I wasted scrolling ... Now I have Access only to KZbin and I still feel I'm getting robbed, there's something about these platforms that kills you from the inside.

[@ahmadu5754]

Very true, it's my biggest issue

[@Vgallo]

I don’t understand why you have to use a dum phone to do this, just delete the apps dude. Although easy for me to say, I’ve always found the internet much more interesting than social media, social media is like the loudest superficial idiots saying the dumbest shit, whereas KZbin and info on the internet, like philosophy lectures, is the exact opposite, I dont understand where the competition is?

[@Fcozer]

I don’t use social media, but KZbin is also quite addictive and provides no social interaction, not even of the digital kind…

[@libernull1956]

I feel Like I'm the only person in the world who literally doesn't give a sh*t what people are doing. The only app that I guess can be considered as social media is the one I am on right now. I never get bored. Finding something that interests you; A Passion, is a huge way to alleviate boredom... Drug's are as well... But I don't recommend the latter 😅

[@blablablabla297]

I got an IG, an FB, even a X, but I feel very happy for not feeling like "I should take a look" anymore because it, takes so much of your time and fucks with your attention span, my personal life became so better after ditching it, I keep the apps on my phone just to say "not now champ" all the time 😂

[@Ondrix]

The best way to defend yourself against social media... is to not be on it. Unless you are using it for something like a business contact, it's not a necessity and you can just simply not use it.

[@TheMrCritto]

Good advice, glad you took to social media to share it

[@4th_and_Long]

​@@TheMrCritto😂😂

[@user-uv3sv3qd2x]

Ohh the irony but then it would be the Tou qo qe fallacy because we are attacking him not his argument which we should

[@Ondrix]

@@TheMrCritto When did I say that I had a problem with social media or that I was trying to defend myself from it? All you're doing is pretending you're smart and implying some sort of non-existant hypocrisy.

[@Ondrix]

@@user-uv3sv3qd2x OK, then please explain where I'm wrong. And I'll head you off at the pass, because pointing out that I'm not following my own advice _doesn't_ mean that advice is wrong.

[@chillydawgg4354]

So glad social media didn't exist yet when I was in my teens & twenties. I have one social media account & I'm exhausted with it after 5 minutes.

[@SixTwenty9ine]

Social Media is a real life villain

[@vasfar9]

1.- Not being fans of the source/creator 2.- Not covering the truth for the "benefits" of attention. 3.- Know that they want to show "Success" within the system, not outside it.

[@cookiecaticat]

I have been practicing mindfulness for little over a week now (25mins per day) and I definitely have gotten better at catching myself going down a negative spiral.

[@xiaonaihu8045]

I stoped scrolling social media and it indeed decreased lateral comparison anxiety, diverted attention to documentary films for studying dividends, while the sufferings of others around the world somehow triggered the mind as if i was suffering. Making adjustments from time to time😊

[@joelharris4399]

Use social media with moderation. Spend more time outdoors with friends and loved ones. Try not to talk about politics around loved ones. There!

[@coliosucc7468]

Thanks for saving me 15 minutes 😂

[@TheHideousgamer]

Avoiding hard talks causes another type of issue

[@caiocrossover]

Thanks. Gonna spend the next 15 minutes outdoors

[@joelharris4399]

@@caiocrossover yes, good for you!

[@eeccee11]

I'll need new friends and loved ones then

[@RICKONORATO]

When I ride the trains and watch people these days, all I see are zombies on their phones. When I look over their shoulders to see what is so engrossing, I'm appalled.

[@maleksalih5237]

It is truly saddening. People nowadays are so glued to their screens that it doesn't even feel like they're alive.

[@RICKONORATO]

@@maleksalih5237 where does it go from here?

[@millie9110]

I can say the same everytime I'm on my way to school.

[@gokhalesh1]

Three people, delivering a very vast complex subject in 15 minutes , that's why they are experts ! , Thanks for bringing them in

[@offtheradarsomewhere.]

In the quiet void within our mind, We truly exist completely unbind..💙💫🙏

[@alexplotkin3368]

Everyone should embrace dancing as a hobby. Great hobby, physically, emotionally and for mental health.

[@4th_and_Long]

🕺💃

[@arresthillary9502]

gaydom for the win? u need to eat some gunpowder and toughen up

[@MrPAULONEAL]

@@arresthillary9502 Arnold practiced ballet when he was bodybuilding

[@GungaLaGunga]

Oh perfect!!! These topics and strategies are exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you from one human to another.

[@Belleza07]

Since I understood social media was a waste of time, I’ve tackled my everyday tasks more efficiently. Surprisingly, I no longer need to sacrifice hours of sleep to finish stuffs. You can start by monitoring your screen time. Great vid! Thanks, BT team!

[@dreamfulblue6381]

this is genuinely such a good and informative video tackling all about social media and the power of our attention. learned, relearned, unlearned and realized a lot!~~~

[@KChrisWatching]

I absolutely love this video. It frightens me what has happened - I try to share this type of info with others. This is so useful!

[@MicahScottPnD]

I'm very glad to see this one, it's just loaded with practical information! ❤

[@dgb405]

Mindfulness, Awareness, attention to attention is the key....gently bring it back when its distracted.....😀

[@joshmatadamas5560]

“Simply begin again…” beautiful.

[@ThePilotGear]

that was really good insight. I really liked what Amishi Jha had to say about attention; figuratively and literally an eye-opener for me. I'm continuously thinking about almost everything BUT the present on my day-to-day, and I do feel like it's robbing me of important moments of enjoyment with the people I love. I might actually practice some of meditation; thanks for that. I also wholeheartidly agree with everything Todd Rose had to say about about being mentally highjacked by social media. Excellent video guys.

[@simon-myunggun-seo]

wdym by "literally an eye opener"? did you have your eyes closed until you watched this video?

[@ThePilotGear]

@@simon-myunggun-seo eye-opener in the sense that I realised something I hadn't before.

[@PayneToTheMax]

Here's my way: Get rid of your social media accounts and just stay away. Took me years to figure this out but oh, goodness, am I ever so much better off now. It's really messed this world up.

[@jessicapatton2688]

I only go on youtube. I can count on both hands all the more I’d go into fb a year. I went 1x this year so far. It’s not hard for me. I am not at all popular. It’s easy to avoid when I’m avoided. So thank u unpopularity, you have helped me keep my personal integrity

[@lemmetjie]

It's a good video. Nice set of insights from the experts. Gonna say that yeah the best way to defend your mind against social media is by staying away from it. I practice social media detox and it's helpful for me at most times. It helps me connect more with myself and people that deserve my attention as well as a sense of focus on what truly matters.

[@humble.genius]

I love to hear Amishi Jia's voice. I would listen to her might be speaking about how the world is going to end in a chaos, and still be calm about it.

[@entegiganteve]

Beautiful, thank you for making this!

[@mrlurp]

Whenever I’m eating a taco. I’m offline. Take a taco break.

[@alexanderfern488]

When you came here to escape the ads and sponserships blocking your train of thought in order to 'think bigger' *puts a sponsership at the beginning of the video.

[@chillydawgg4354]

Get an ad blocker

[@SNBilly]

this needs to be on our mantra to cope with modern tech and lifestyle

[@skiff51]

I got rid of my phone, and i feel a million times better. I finally feel alive!

[@jomamacallinyou]

Mindfulness. Need to remember that.

[@jaylamanca]

So many people need to watch this

[@BlueSuraj]

i have quit all forms of social media and only use youtube. i am proud of the 5 followers I made around my locality. my guidance heavily impacts the way they behave and live their lives. i am helping them to become better selves and no social media can offer me that. i am proud of the 5 followers i have. i take their responsibility. ❤

[@Yuri-nc9vl]

I did the same: I became addicted to yt now 💀

[@reginaerekson9139]

1:35 like avast - the security that sells your information? Or Google or facebook? Or like Norton vpn that websites don’t let me in if they can’t identify me? The internet and social media suck harder everyday

[@Drew_Baker]

Whoever edited this needs a raise

[@valentinopereira58]

Love this video. Thank you BigThink for putting out such valuable content.

[@yacnick]

and send me my bro

[@leandrodreher4125]

This is an excellent video. Super informative and with hard, scientifically proven data.

[@emailajean]

I’m not one of his fan but what a beautiful way to describe his life!

[@markusbaker1161]

Not that difficult. Don’t look. Only follow things that interest you and check in for updates. Anything else is a waste of time and is filled with drama. Cut through it and enjoy the good things life has to offer.

[@annetterodriguez682]

I quit social media & only use KZbin. I’m okay with this new phase of detoxing, it was a complete waste of time for me. I find KZbin educational & more useful for my current situation.

[@stephencaudill2422]

Much of my career since 1987 has been involved in computer science and related tech. I have never "tweeted" in my life, never will. No idea what Instagram looks like. Facebook once a year to see who wished me "happy birthday."

[@ToudaHell]

Best way to protect your mind from social media is to get off them completely. 8 months later, it's still the best decision I've made this decade.

[@nerd26373]

The distortion effect continues to distort our minds and perspectives. It's about time we become more aware and continue to fight off negative energies from these things.

[@loveshell007]

"What we pay attention to, is our life." I would give this 10 likes for the neurologist's speech alone.

[@sdsch2167]

I have aura it’s the best! Specially with the AT&T recent breach

[@RDA527]

It’s a brave new world of illusion.

[@someguy2135]

I find meditation to be very challenging. The only way I can succeed is by going into nature and taking in the subtle beauty of it while walikng, hiking or just watching the clouds slowly pass by, for example.

[@KaiseruSoze]

On the other hand, creating your own identity takes a lot of work and trial an error. Why bother if you can get a ready made "you". I've asked myself "what do I really want". And I still don't have a clear answer. But, ice cream is something I keep coming back to.

[@Snitchie]

What happens when more and more connect via vr? Myself doing this and real Life. But balance is key in everything. Thanks for this video ❤️

[@michaelboguski4743]

"My mind is on vacation, but my mouth is working overtime"

[@vanityglobal2463]

Everyone is addicted…15+ years of a social drug

[@sethflix]

I just quit all social media. It's too much for me to keep up with. All I use is KZbin.

[@ManWithWood]

"3 ways to defend your mind against social media " step 1: get scared straight

[@user-rn9vp1zo8z]

Yup

[@philipholding]

Get a pet. Preferably one you can take for a walk.

[@kbs1212]

I have a close friend who posted on his IG story that anyone who doesn't agree with his exact stance on a geopolitical issue, can "get the fuck out" of his life. I cried when I read that, because we had previously had a discussion on this where he told me he's disappointed in my view and that I need to read. That there is no other opinion that is right. I had not yet shared my opinion, just that I am being careful about the content surrounding this topic, and am still researching. I'm worried I'll lose my friend.

[@4th_and_Long]

What's the topic?

[@arresthillary9502]

really, you cried? tell him to fook off lmao

[@bhavyajha4808]

Let me guess, this friend is a leftie/liberal/woke…

[@OriginalContent89]

If he's ready to cut people out of his life entirely just because they disagree with him then let him. Trying to keep this friendship is just delaying the inevitable because eventually you will disagree about something else and be right back to square one. Once he's cut everyone out and realizes that he has no one, maybe he'll come to his senses and reach out to you. If not, just live your best life away from someone who cares so little for you that they will disown you just for having a different opinion.

[@kbs1212]

@OriginalContent89 Probably the best advice I've ever received on KZbin. I appreciate you for taking the time to share this with me. You're completely right, and it's bigger than me.

[@CodingAqyanoos]

Wow one great interesting video. ❤

[@cisbani_sw]

About the mindfulness at the end, I can empirically confirm that just 10 mins a day can make a huge difference on your perspective of the world and relationships! Just give it a try for a month, with your focus on your breath and how relaxing it is, nothing more, I can assure you that it will work 🔥👍

[@canmexgroup5541]

not recommended. you will increase your anxiety

[@c.a.parker5036]

Some breathing exercise can excite the nervous system and increase anxiety but slow breaths will calm the nervous system. I do 6 second in, 6 seconds out.

[@adamgoudreau7069]

@@canmexgroup5541you’re doing something wrong then. They don’t explain meditating very well

[@adamgoudreau7069]

@@c.a.parker5036well also extending your exhales helps slow your heart rate

[@LakshmiiSharma]

Truth has been spoken ,But I already came to know this dadk reality of world, society,and world of social media through learning about buddhism that how this is never ending process and not what we orginally want!!!! Well what originally want ??? Nothing we just want to surviv😅😅and fear death and loss and just to avodi this we are running here and there.Unfortunately human will never understand that the habit of to be something is so much valued in society that evn saying am nothing scare us!!!

[@varukenprime445]

I have to wait for two ads to end before i can see the video and then, you guys advertise a service in the video itself. After 2 minutes, the topic of the video starts FINALLY. Fucking hell

[@user-vy8of1cy5n]

on my point of view, I think that it all depends on personal points view

[@explorerpi]

The Aura promotion is build up on anxiety. What a negative form to conduct marketing ! Especially with a video on this topic. You should consider stopping leveraging sales on fear and consider positive associations of security and wise forethought. For a few cents in the dark web, you can get a less despondent marketing theme and change the aura of fear. Yes shade. 😝

[@SkyHighMelody]

This video made me feel like i was having a god damn mental break

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

Humans are mimics and have a tendancy to be "talented sheep;" we may have the abilities to accomplish much, but we still, more often than not, will follow the herd. Social media is the manifestation of Andy Warhol's prediction, "In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.", depending on how you define the concept of fame, we are there.

[@timelapsega]

People are aware nowadays that reality TV is heavily edited and you can create all kinds of stories/narratives when you're cutting hundreds of hours of footage into ten 30 minute episodes. They need to use that same level of incredulity when watching the news.

[@thecrowfliescrooked]

I know of people in their 50's that live alone and live vicariously through "reality tv". Imagine that.

[@fanxxai]

I’m convinced to buy Aura cx of this video. But whether I’m gonna keep using it is where Aura jobs starts. I hope it is good.

[@fanxxai]

Regular issue. Not available in Pakistan. Plz Aura bring it here.

[@tesla6422]

Attend to the strange loop of consciousness. It defines and bounds reality.

[@hn-ca24]

Social Media is everything & everywhere now...just interacting with normal people day to day is social media because their actions & thoughts are influenced by it. Maybe, it is "second-hand" per say, but still influenced. The cat is out of the bag as they say.

[@MagdaleneDivine]

Yea I actually already know. I noticed it in 2015 when I released from prison. I went in 2013 and by 2015 everyone was looking at a phone screen

[@Notpersonhumanbutorb]

SIGNAL BOOST THIS MUHFUCKEN VIDEO PEOPLE HAVE NOOOO BRAAAAINS !!!!! Thank you for sharing an actual part of reality

[@billyj.causeyvideoguy7361]

The biggest issue today is how companies are now using your social media following size to determine hiring.

[@TheWhelon]

model, confrmity, meditation

[@rw-ti3rh]

Practice self control, divert attention from social media, control the time you use them.

[@derektathgur]

One of the biggest limitations of this video is that it fails to define the term ‘memetic’ in the first place. At least in the context of what’s being discussed here.

[@NinaniOfficial]

Balance 💚

[@fabianrares]

The worse impact is on children and youths. They are lost, they kill each in brutal ways for no real reason. Social media must be moderated properly. Cobtent and algorithms should be cleaned.

[@hermanjohnson9180]

Everything said here is absolutely true. However, it seems it mostly applies to people with lower self esteem.

[@protecttomato5180]

People in the future will sue facebook and instagram from stealing their childhood and teenage years away, imagine being at 40 and you missed your prime body to enjoy physical adventures and outdoor activities. That cant be taken back.

[@Yuri-nc9vl]

beside my life is sh*t now, atleast I had a nice childhood, I think in 20-30 years from now people don't even talk eachother anymore (ofc that's just my opinion)

[@marianaaguiar2761]

Glad to be living without social for 3 years. It' a much better life.

[@JUSTAFUTUREBOY]

You starttt to see urself through that shittt

[@J.DaviesArt]

A fun house of mirrors, snap! lol listening whilst studying instead of writing rant tweets! 😅

[@callicordova4066]

Group Think. Read George Orwell's "1984."

[@rahulbarka1500]

More of this

[@davidpaz9907]

I was on instagram before I got here 😢 dang

[@animationways4384]

Where are u from

[@costafilh0]

Funny that you use Venezuela as a good example, which it is, but not your own government, which is an even better example!

[@MarieWest-tbic]

I feel everything in moderation, including tech. Nothing in this world is good to do all in ball$ to the wall, all the time. Fanatical about anything is unhealthy. And these youtube shorts are ridiculous! No wonder everyone had an attention issue these days.

[@ramsnation196]

lot of people need this

[@florianbooneiam]

That’s why Buddhism helps me letting go of attachments

[@rnbrineg]

VUCA sounds a lot like dukkha doesn't it?

[@arresthillary9502]

attachment is the root of ALL sorrow life is dynamic, flowing. people and things and money come and go. that is reality

[@AkmalPK442]

Just get out from 🤳 but i tried i can't ocd

[@ubelove4410]

i was hooked by the intro, but the ad was a let down! advertisement sucks!

[@PhuongLe-kv1hy]

Pay attention to your attention 👌

[@popurm]

Profound

[@reginaerekson9139]

7:50 guilty, Bloomberg, msnbc, cnn, Lex Fridman, csis, big think, DW, France24, pbs, United Nations, gzero, axios, Andrew Huberman, The Well, Aia … I think of it more like influencing the influencers or supervising and definitely dopamine hits 😂

[@PJVist]

3:30 to skip ad

[@SneakySteevy]

Start to focus on the basics such as cognitive distortions…

[@mikasmeds2343]

So the video is about spending less time on social media. And the advertising in the beginning is about how to not get your social media hacked, soooo you can spend more time there?

[@AShah1313]

This is so dystopian when a talk about social Media hijacking our attention has a commercial that is inescapable and you ate hostage to it!

[@divergentsouls]

I mostly like the info presented in this video but some of the info is a little misleading. For example, Amishi Jha said that when we think of the past our minds are completely in the past rather than in the present and that’s not necessarily true. Our brains have enormous potential and can ‘hold’ the complexities needed to think about the past while also remaining ‘present’, if needed.

[@karolinaska6836]

I love it how people say they deleted their social media... In a comment on YT which is.. Surprise! A form of social media. 😂