Jaron Lanier & Ten Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now

Jaron makes multiple compelling arguments for ridding your life of social media. His extensive background in tech gives him valuable insight as a person who has seen and done it all and was there on the ground floor during the birth of the Internet. He offers a unique perspective from inside the industry and his deep understanding of the nuances and driving forces behind social media cannot be denied. While all his points were valid and well thought out, he can sometimes come across as someone who was too invested in the cause.

As someone who is not that active of a participant in social media, I personally felt his detailed understanding of the issues social media has made his opinions somewhat unrelatable. It felt to me that he was so immersed in the culture and industry that he dwells too much on the negative aspects of social media. Though I agree with some of his opinions and enjoyed his eye-opening takes on social media platforms, it often felt as if he is someone who has seen the worst of what social media has to offer and it had really affected him.

Though I personally don’t immerse myself in social media platforms I feel like they have their value and are a good way to stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues. I agree with Jaron that social media is not perfect but maybe suggesting moderation is a more even-keeled approach.

Like anything that gives joy or captivates you, social media can be addicting. Even though it seems algorithms may be conspiring against you, you still have the choice of logging off. Maybe it can be healthy and refreshing to unplug for a while and take a break from it all. Perhaps watch something that makes that you smile, like how I feel when I see this video of Jaron Lanier performing a double flute solo.