Social media algorithms have made it easier than ever before to connect with the things you love.
However, if you’re not mindful of where you direct your attention, your algorithm can quickly shift to degenerate mind numbing content.
Where your focus goes is exactly where the algorithm will take you. Which means you have two options here.
Option one is the default setting. It’s simple, you open your phone and you spin the algorithmic roulette wheel and see what random shit pops out. Sometimes it’s completely okay to want to use this algorithm as an escapism from reality, but if we’re not mindful we can quickly slip into the void of media.
Alternatively, option two requires slightly more effort and it’s going to require you to go out of your way to search for what you want. In order to train the algorithm to our advantage we need to first know what we like or what we want to learn.
“When an algorithm is jibing with your higher mind, it’s your friend. When it’s luring in your Primitive Mind against your Higher Mind’s will, the relationship is parasitic” -Tim Urban
It’s a small step taking a proactive approach to seek out the information you’d like to consume. But it can help curate a more fulfilling social media experience.
The key learning here is unlocking the mindfulness and awareness of your consumption habits and monitoring where you direct your attention.
Where focus goes, energy flows.
I was inspired to write this post after reading a section about The Algorithm in Tim Urban's book What's Our Problem?