Escaping The Algorithmic Net

I started a 40 day fb detox just over a week ago, and it feels life-changing. Like the old days of the internet where it was about connecting with others rather than getting caught in an algorithmic net.

I actually don’t think I will go back to fb. Or if I will it will be extremely limited use to access a few groups.

It all started after I read this post from Amber Louise at A Little Stronger Every Day. Immediately after reading it I decided to get off fb and all other social media apart from Linkedin which I sometimes use for work.

Since then vistas of time have opened up. I’m learning Italian while eating breakfast instead of scrolling through my phone. I’m praying about my feelings instead of seeking a distraction from them. I’m going onto websites to read articles instead of getting caught up in the latest back and forth debate. I’ve been surprised how giving up fb has been relatively easy. I haven’t missed it like I have in the past.

I have had moments of loneliness. I actually don’t know where I’d be if it wasn’t for fb and the real, in-person connections I’ve made with people both near and afar. I’ve got a few book ideas and the book proposals for different publishers always talk about platforms and I’m not sure what I’m going to do about that. Although Substack is seemingly like a better way to connect and grow an audience. If that’s what’s needed. Only God knows.

I keep coming across information about social media being a drug, and I think we underestimate how addictive it is. Because it’s not like alcohol or heroin I don’t think we are aware of the side effects and how life without it is so different.

I think I thought I’d just fast for a bit, and then come back it and use it more carefully. But I’m aware that is so powerfully weaponised that it seems at times almost impossible to use it carefully. Fb has psychologists that deliberately design a platform that attempts to suck up every spare moment of our time. It’s tricky when we want to share a message, but as digital soldiers we may be sustaining more injuries than we realise and not letting the wounds heal.

It’s amazing how much more headspace I’ve got now.

I’ve been writing an article about dopamine detoxing, and it’s interesting how the more instant gratification we seek (like’s and love’s), the less motivated we are to engage in projects that have a slower gratification process.

Perhaps that’s why I feel so free now, developing the patience to see a writing project to fruition, or to keep trying to improve my Italian.

If you’d like to keep in touch I’m writing on other Substacks, as well as this one.

At KateOrsonWrites I’m trying to share the Gospel and warning about the new age with a more ‘mainstream’ audience. At Spirit Led Parenting, I’m sharing how God is changing my parenting. At Learn A Language With The Bible I am documenting my Italian language learning using the Bible. I am also on Telegram.

All these substacks are free, and none of the articles are paywalled, but if you’d like to support my work and help give me more time to write you can become a paid subscriber for a few pounds a month.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to staying in touch with you outside of FB!