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147

Losing friends to the endless fantasy of AI/social media slop. Under 30s, are you dealing with the same and if so what worked for you to help socialize again? (lemmy.world)

submitted 23 hours ago by Fit_Series_573@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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This post is for seeking some advice on what's the best route to try to help some friends get some of their offline lives back.

This year, a large percent of my friend group from my hometown have stopped interacting much with anyone outside of immediate family such as parents and work. Very noticeable for those that are under 30 (I'm 30) compared to those a few years older than me. For 3 of them that were pretty close, they still send memes and Instagram reels all day almost daily but never respond to any messages nor send any anymore. The only way to get them to do anything is to show up semi unannounced with tickets to go somewhere or with food to get them out of the endless scroll, and even then 2 of them will still scroll no matter what's going on around them, even while driving.

Seeing the reels that get shared since the summer, nearly all of them are AI or extreme (not political, moreso like extreme overeating, extreme overpriced buying/unboxing videos or people fighting past what mma/ufc would allow type content). This seems to have led a few to being scared of the outside while a few others consider outside to be too boring now. When we do hang out I notice my algorithm is completely different than theirs with every reel scroll. We were all very tech focused coming our of school but I'm 1 of 2 that didn't make it into a long term career, a couple of them have been on the AI hype train for a few years now.

Does this seem to be an ongoing trend for you? I know some people here have made mention over the time I've been on Lemmy but it's gotten so apparent in my life these last 2 holidays trying to make plans and soon New Years of the change and the the first time in more than a decade we're all within an hour of each other but majority of them are just socially MIA to do anything outside of scrolling on the couch laughing at nonexistent people and animals in reels. What's worked for you to help combat this within your friends without giving up on them? The best thing I've been able to find has been the bar style arcades and laser tag that's helped make that similar enjoyment while out of the house.

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[–] LordMayor@piefed.social 4 points 20 hours ago

It is actual addiction. It might not be as damaging as an opioid addiction but it’s still addiction. They have to recognize and acknowledge the addiction and want to change before any change can happen.

There’s a two recent Hidden Brain podcast episodes that explain how dopamine rewards turn into addiction. I highly recommend them. It will explain a lot about what’s happening to your friends—though, sounds like you have much of it figured out. I plan on reading the psychiatrist’s book.

Hidden Brain Podcast: