3 ways to defend your mind against social media distortions

[@rowmiry]

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

[@Danna-b3r]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@Hawaiiartobjects]

Same except KZbin.

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

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

[@LOFIMusic-wx5xu]

You forget this one…..🤔😉😂

[@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.

[@boblatkey7160]

Meanwhile here you are commenting on social media!

[@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.

[@boblatkey7160]

FYI, you are currently commenting on social media. 😂

[@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 😅

[@LukãoRZN]

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 😂

[@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.

[@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

[@desi-musk]

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

[@yacnick]

and send me my bro

[@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😂😂

[@MohamedAhmed-i1t1n]

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]

@@MohamedAhmed-i1t1n 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.

[@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😊

[@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.

[@SixTwenty9ine]

Social Media is a real life villain

[@gokhalesh1]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@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

[@offtheradarsomewhere.]

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

[@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.

[@muza_vfx]

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.

[@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.

[@GungaLaGunga]

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

[@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!~~~

[@joshmtdms22]

“Simply begin again…” beautiful.

[@jaylamanca]

So many people need to watch this

[@craigmerkey8518]

Great information. I was out of the country about three years ago while I was wrapping up my MA. I had very little access to content and interaction in my own language. Coincidently I was flying home from Brazil in route from NYC to LAX on Jet Blue, (I had access to txt) Jan, 6 2021 as the attack on the capital was in progress. Since that time my media diet including email has been very narrow. I feel like this experience and awareness improved my mental health and focus creating a predictable consistent life. and I plan to keep it that way.

[@skiff51]

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

[@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.

[@jomamacallinyou]

Mindfulness. Need to remember that.

[@prodbydata]

"...to fantisize about a life we'll probably never have...and even if we did have it, it would probably make us miserable". It's so crucial to understand this.

[@dgb405]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@ReginaJune]

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

[@emailajean]

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

[@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 💀

[@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."

[@entegigante]

Beautiful, thank you for making this!

[@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.

[@leandrodreher4125]

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

[@MicahScottPnD]

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

[@SNBilly]

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

[@mrlurp]

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

[@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

[@sophiaisabelle027]

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.

[@blackoi]

One thing not really covered in this video, because I think it's more aimed towards 'wellbeing', is that things amplified by the bubble that the algorithm created is a contagious disease. My friend is a Tiktok addict and although she is a little more mindful now after a recent incident. Now she tries not to watch topics that has angry people being angry at other people (just cute animal videos lately). There was an issue in the US, amplified by minority and because she kept seeing videos about it, it became a big and personal issue for her. Listening to the issues and watching some of the videos she forwarded, I explained to her that our (country) justice system and our behaviour in regards to this issue is different. While I see that it is an issue, in our community, we don't have the kind of antagonistic and unreasonable demands that these groups were making in the US. I believe that, if this issue does come up in our country, both the group will find a way to work through it. Not long after this though, some small incidents did happen between the groups in our country and she showed me this as an evidence. I told her, "What are the chances that these people treat each other this way, when they never did before, because they also saw the videos you saw?" A month after this, we have Neo-Nazi rally in our capital city (a small one, thankfully). I was like, "Oh my God, we don't have this problem here please go away." I'm not a big social media user. I watch YT videos like this one during commute and I consider the context of each content. Most information on YT, for example, tend to use US statistics and research as reference data, so if it is something that matters to you, you should then research the actual data from other reliable sources and learn more. Any other time I volunteer in my communities with people of various ages and ethnicity. There are many things you can contribute to IRL (where I live in, anyway) and the people you touch can also support you in times of need, not somebody on social media who would drain and use you, and wouldn't even care if you live a happy and fulfilling life.

[@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.

[@loveshell007]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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…

[@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.

[@irismckay6472]

@@LostSoulchild89 I agree 100%. The person who has no tolerance for any other position or who can't still love people with different opinions is stuck in a spoiled child narcissist archetype. They need to see what it's like to be in the echo chamber.

[@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.

[@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

[@michaelboguski4743]

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

[@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 ❤️

[@RAHABUCHALLO]

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

[@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.

[@tesla6422]

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

[@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

[@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. 😝

[@ubelove4410]

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

[@billyj.causeyvideoguy7361]

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

[@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.

[@rw-ti3rh]

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

[@marianaaguiar2761]

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

[@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.

[@Notpersonhumanbutorb]

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

[@sethflix]

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

[@NinaniOfficial]

Balance 💚

[@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.

[@hermanjohnson9180]

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

[@PJVist]

3:30 to skip ad

[@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.

[@Tan_Shou]

This is a very white and Western perspective on social media. The "I need to do me" and "I need to feel good" perspective. For the Global South and for many oppressed minorities, those who don't get any spotlight in traditional media or a seat at any important table, social media has been instrumental in decentering Western narratives and taking back control. Some issues deserve and demand attention because of the nature of the topic. For example, the ongoing genocide in Palestine demands our attention. It deserves our attention. It's a collective trauma and wound that can only be healed through attention. And while traditional media is littered with bias and journalists are not allowed on the ground, we can't not rely on social media for information. But my biggest beef with this video is that it once again puts all the responsibility on the individual. Asking them to claim their attention back instead of holding tech giants accountable, who are shamelessly making billions from mining and exploiting our attention. By all means, meditate, disconnect, and take breaks. But don't let the ones in power convince you that the only way you can have your power back is by opting out entirely, instead of them designing products that can deliver information without exploiting you. And before you come at me, I'm a product designer, I know what I'm talking about. There are a million ways to design a product without making it addictive. The root problem here is not attention, it's greed.

[@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.

[@TheWhelon]

model, confrmity, meditation

[@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

[@PhuongLe-kv1hy]

Pay attention to your attention 👌

[@popurm]

Profound

[@seekercons4498]

I love all the comments, on this social media platform, from people claiming to have abandoned social media.

[@costafilh0]

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

[@parzival123]

Don't be a follower, be our own leader

[@Kaitopia_]

I find it funny that the video is about defending yourself against social media yet starts by trying to sell us a product based on fear

[@Marie_West]

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.

[@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?

[@SkyHighMelody]

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

[@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)

[@Hbszn]

By turning of you device

[@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. 😂

[@psyberdelicxp6042]

Never had social media. Never have. Never will. It cant burn in hell soon enough

[@iboremytherapist]

9:33 decades of tv watching skewed my perception of reality. It might look like real life. Real life is responsibilities, relationships, work and finance management. Turn off the tv, KZbin, social media from time to time.

[@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!

[@callicordova4066]

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

[@EFRAINGILES]

You starttt to see urself through that shittt

[@jrodartec]

One of the biggest villains when it comes to this topic is the short video format such as KZbin Shorts, Instagram Stories/Reels and TikTok. This format creates a superficial, yet powerful hyper-engagement, that not only abuses our dopamine systems but also makes it more difficult for us to pay attention to other types of content and activities. I would advise against the consumption of such content. Those should be probably replaced by longer, more meaningful videos with deeper subjects, and that trigger more appropriate/mild dopamine responses.

[@ShimueloMx]

Remember that everything you see on social media is childish,exaggerated,not true until proven otherwise and only for the objective of getting views,subs,likes and similar Personally i only watch local news and memes,naturally

[@SneakySteevy]

Start to focus on the basics such as cognitive distortions…

[@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

[@ReginaJune]

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 😂