it’s like an engine being allowed to slow down after over-revving it incessantly.

That’s exactly what it feels like. I installed Social Fixer on my browser(s) to make FB at least usable for the few times I have to touch it for event coordination. People ask me what that’s like and I simply say: “Oh, it’s boring now. I only look at status updates for a few minutes and go do something else.” The pull to go back is just… gone. It’s as dull as LiveJournal ever was, and frankly, it’s better this way.

What did I strip out of the feed? Everything that wasn’t generated directly by someone on my friends list. That’s all it took. All the “engagement” is either artificially injected into your feed, or clickbait people pass along because their feed isn’t filtered.

Not maintaining artificial connections with people who would reach out to me if they actually gave a damn about me has genuinely been liberating.

I like how Discord- and Slack-like socials are set up. It’s just more natural. Instead of a feed, it’s a forum. It feels more like a physical place, with couches for discussion, corners of the room where people take conversation, and a hall outside for privacy. And if you understood that metaphor, then you know how I feel.

And if I don’t like a server, I can just… leave. Never have to run into them again, but still have access to friends. No holes in the conversation where an obvious block or ignore leaves gaps.

I honestly don’t know how I could use Facebook that way. Seriously. I log in once in a blue moon, and half the stuff I see scrolling through the main feed has nothing to do with any of my friends as far as I can tell. And that’s with an ad blocker.

I don’t understand how anybody can stand it. Maybe it’s a “boiling frog” situation, or maybe they’ve developed better counter-strategies than I am familiar with? I quit Facebook about 10 years ago and when I poke my head in now, it’s completely different. It is terrible in ways I wouldn’t have believed 10 years ago.

google “facebook mental health” and you’ll get an idea. if you’re fine using it, that’s great. but not everyone is like you. and the “i’m fine with this–everyone else should be too!” attitude is one thing i saw constantly on facebook.

edit: notice in my original comment i spoke of my own experience, not anyone else’s, nor what anyone else should spend their time and attention on

Originally the criticism was that you see the highlights of other people’s lives and then compare that to your everyday life and that’s depressing.

Nowadays I think it’s all the politics being injected everywhere. Me? I look for cars and car parts on groups. That’s about it.