The Social Dilemma

The Social Dilemma

21st of September

I love Netflix! Getting all cosy in bed and watching a great series or film is something that I look forward to most nights! Tonight, I decided to watch the new documentary on Netflix called ‘the social dilemma’ - ‘This documentary- drama hybrid explores the dangerous human impact of social networking, with the tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations’.

 I also would say I am slightly addicted to checking Instagram, whats app and Facebook and I will admit, I feel like I am sometimes sucked into this world of social media.

The documentary mainly focusses on the dangers of social networking and how it is impacting the world today. Focussing on how social media is addictive and people get completely engrossed in it.

The people being interviewed during the program are people from the giant tech firms. From what I learned, they were saying that everything Is click bait and there are so many algorithms finding out what they think you like, or will like and they tailor your social media page to things you might want to read / watch or what you might buy! Everyone see’s different things on their page! That’s why sometimes we joke and say our phones are listening to us… because everything is money driven / advertising and what ever you searched once, will keep popping up and tempting you to delve in further.

I even sit here and write all this on a social media platform!

 I do agree that social media and the internet has lead to more people being depressed and more hate crime. We are all familiar with the words online trolling now and the term keyboard warriors. I am sure most of us have felt the negative impact on social media at some point in our lives and I think its scary that children now don’t know anything different!

However obviously the internet is such an amazing tool for knowledge (although we must always remember to fact check and read reliable sources) and how it can connect us with so many people!

I work on cruise lines and have met people who live all over the world through my job. Without Facebook, Whats app, Instagram, Skype etc… I wouldn’t be able to keep in contact with so many of my friends and family and feel connected or part of their lives. I even use social media to talk to my fiancé everyday who is currently in Brasil. I rely on social media in fact!

During the Covid-19 pandemic I have used social media and the internet in a  a positive way. The performing arts industry has been incredible and people are supplying online classes via Instagram and Facebook lives, they are saving workouts to their timelines and connecting us all via zoom and through apps! Its been amazing! Each week me and three other dancers / girlfriends set up a zoom link and do an online workout, to feel connected and to motivate each other and it’s something that I look forward to now! 

I work for an international cruise company and now because technology has advanced and I am presuming because live auditions are extremely difficult right now, they have set up a website where we can create a casting profile. You upload everything you want the company to know, your CV, Headshot and a video link and thats how they plan on recasting ships from now on. 

Even without social media you wouldn’t know about half the auditions that go on, because companies post them on their websites and social accounts. Theres also the hugely popular spotlight database for performers! Everything is at our fingertips and social media can be used as a tool and for inspiring us.

I will forever have a love hate relationship with social media and the internet! I know I don’t think I could ever cut it from my life!