Ten Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now

A brief, decent book about an obvious thing that many people can't bring themselves to do: stop supporting social media.

Social media has been likened to the tobacco industry. It's a pervasive problem. We have a bunch of research about how bad it is. The incentive structures are a nightmare. It ruined the 2016 election. It undermines democracy, empathy, actual human connections. It's false and full of lies. It's addictive. It perpetuates our worst instincts; it turns us, as Lanier says, into assholes. And so on.

Anyway, billions of people use Facebook. What a nightmare! I have no tolerance for the “concern troll” argument that disadvantaged groups are somehow unable to leave Facebook; I lived in Tanzania for two years and India for one year. In those places, Facebook is now bundled with people's mobile phone plans and offered as a “free” service. I've seen an argument (on Twitter): “this is the only access to the internet these people have!” Oh yes, Facebook offering such succor to the poor and benighted. Give me a break. MPESA gives succor. Facebook sure as hell does not.

Anyway. I love Jaron Lanier. I saw him speak years ago. Appalled when no one in the audience knew of E.M. Forster's The Machine Stops, he strongly recommended it and I read it shortly afterwards. And it changed my life. So thanks, Mr. Lanier! I also think his tech skepticism is informed and healthy. And, of course, I'm inspired by his weird and quirky interests: his writing is smart, confident, kind-hearted, and wacky. Which is always a balm.

I wonder how many people have actually deleted their FB accounts...