The Happy Selfie Fallacy -- And Social Media Directory

(Philosocom's Directory On the Virtual Realm)

(Philosocom Directory on Friendship)

The Directory

Giving Up Your Privacy For Products -- The Ethical Philosophy of Contemporary Privacy

The Rubinshteinic Theory On Contentism -- Why Emotions Can be Weakness

Climbing the Bias-Breaker Hill -- How To See Beyond The Subtle Algorithm Bias

Virtual Dictatorships and Plutocracies -- How Humanity is Being Shaped

Search Engines VS Socializing -- Why Social Interactions are Less Necessary Than Before

The Article

In this digital age, the illusion of happiness is as pervasive as the toxic air we breathe from the products of ever-growing, greedy corporations. Paradoxically, this constant stream of seemingly perfect lives, filled with laughter, exotic travels, and flawless, beautiful selfies, can easily paint a picture of a world where "everyone" is content and carefree. Without however the critical thinking required to dig beneath this carefully curated facade, a different reality will resume to lie low from our perception.

The loneliness that lurks beneath the surface is a silent epidemic, only relatable to those who are regularly lonely. In a world where connections can be made and utterly ghosted with a simple swipe, true intimacy often feels elusive. Whether we seek friendship or love, the superficial nature of social media can leave us feeling isolated and disconnected, even as we're surrounded by countless online "friends".

Ask yourselves regularly: Just how much do you really know about these virtual contacts? Ask yourselves, occasionally, if these people really know you, like you think they are, and vice versa. You might think you do, until something happens and you realize that you are more distant than otherwise expected.

As such, without the sharper, critical intellect, it's easy to get caught up in the illusion of happiness, to believe that everyone else's life is better than our own, or to think our lives are intertwined with them. Intertwined as respect is with relevancy!

Yet, the truth is, everyone struggles with their own demons, and you might not even understand, why one time they just, "out of the blue" decide to lash out at you for just starting another friendly conversation. Behind the carefully crafted posts, there are real people with real problems, whose realness is covered in the true uncertainty of reality.

What we see online is often a carefully curated version of reality, a highlight reel that omits the mundane, the difficult, and the painful. Highlight, means a specific bias of something! And of course bias distorts our accuracy of perception!

Often times, even when that version is more accurate, it's not entirely accurate as the information we might understand better in the physical realm. Thus, it's important to remember that the lives we see on social media are not real in the same way that our own lives are. They are filtered, edited, and staged to present a certain image.

They are also not presented as fluently as physical reality can demonstrate, as virtual reality always requires a user to update things. This can further hurt the understanding that people change, but do not necessarily write about it or record it in any way.

Of course, it is clear in more ways than one that judging a person's behavior solely on virtual evidence can be compared to judging a book by its cover. When we prioritize judgement over understanding, be it positive or negative, we already set ourselves to be misled.

Much of our peace can be developed from distinguishing illusion or delusions from reality. Real connections, real experiences, and real emotions are what matter most, as they are the most concrete.

Being with someone that you actually enjoy being with, can change your perception of reality. By the opposite side of the same token, you might feel like a ghost, not really in touch with reality (and yourself) when you're alone. Mentally alone that is.

Instead of comparing ourselves to the carefully curated lives we see online, and ruminating about how miserable we are, we should instead focus on building meaningful relationships and pursuing our own passions. Passions that help us and others, and not the other way around.

Loneliness is a natural part of the human experience, but it doesn't have to consume us. Thinking that there's no point not being lonely just because we'll be lonely anyways, is a product of the Nirvana Fallacy. By cultivating real connections, finding purpose in our lives, we can overcome feelings of isolation and ruthlessly operate, until we find true happiness.... and/or true love even!

Remember: next time you find yourself scrolling through your social media feed, remember that what you're seeing is just a carefully constructed illusion. An illusion of activity that we apply to reality itself.

It's a tool. Is there a need to depend on our worth and our well being on tools? Must our whole selves depend on the functionality and competence of tools? Don't let it make you so mentally dependent on them, and delude yourself that you are free.

Feeling inadequate or alone, that is not liberty as much as it is submission to the tyranny of depression.

Instead, focus on building a life that is authentic, meaningful, and fulfilling. One that makes you want to be alive.