smallpotatoes

Is this a safe space? Because I have a confession. I have no idea how to actually use Reddit.  Honestly, I'm convinced that Reddit is the dark web, or at least an entry point to it. I have stumbled across some bizarre things on Reddit that have me wondering if I should delete the app afterward. Is there a user guide for Reddit? I fear I missed a tutorial video or orientation class on how to use Reddit effectively.  I have joined one community since downloading the app. I use it mostly to keep up with what's going on in Tallahassee and for the weekly events. I really like it for the cooking subreddits, which I have been exploring more over the past few weeks. This week alone, I explored several of the cultural cuisine subreddits. I'm mostly an observer, choosing not to comment but to sit on the sidelines, taking it all in. Sometimes it can be overwhelming because there are so many people contributing, and it's difficult to find exactly what I'm actually looking for. ...

I have a question for you: "Who are you online"? Now you may want to immediately respond, well, I'm me or [insert name]. You may even take a pause to think about the question and wonder, 'Is this a trick question?' This isn't a trick question; it's just to gauge whether you are as authentically yourself online as you are in person. Do you invite more or fewer conversations online than you do in person? Do you spend copious amounts of time deciding which picture is the most flattering and most likable? Do you carefully curate which parts of yourself others get to see?  Now that you have had time to think about these questions, let's talk more about them.  Reading Chapter 5, Networked Relationships, from Networked: The New Social Operating System by Rainie, L. & Wellman, B. (2013) was insightful, to say the least. Thinking about my own online identity, it is definitely the polished version of myself. One where I pick and choose who I socialize with, ...

 Let's address the elephant in the room Is social media addictive? This question stemmed from the NPR episode - Social Media is changing what "addiction" means. Now, before I get too deep in my recap of the episode, I am pausing to answer the question: Is social media addictive? The answer for me is yes. One could also argue that I have a slightly addictive personality (but just a little). If you've never heard that term before, the  Cleveland Clinic defines "Addictive Personality" as a "casual" term used to describe a person who exhibits behaviors that lead them to overindulge.  Here's another cool article from the Mayo Clinic with a few signs of addictive personality traits.  Now back to the podcast.  In short, NPR host Brittany Luse, guest Shannon Bond, and Dr. Carl Erik Fisher are breaking down allegations that tech companies intentionally design apps to be addictive for young users. I wanted to look into these cases further, so I'm ...

How did I end up here?  The description of this course made me think this is going to be just what I need for the summer. A little sun (because who doesn't love a baked potato) and a course that helps me understand social media and how it impacts the potatoes around me.  My history with social media is one of many tales, some fairytales, and others like horrors. Social media was a space for me to connect with my fellow potatoes, meet new potatoes, and learn about potato society. In most cases, I truly enjoy social media, but, just like in real life, I can be a bit of an introverted extrovert (Ambivert). I can do it, and sometimes I feel great at it, but I often need long breaks from it. I "unplugged" back in April because I felt like I had been consuming too much and engaging beyond my capacity, so I logged out of the apps and even deleted some. The desire to connect is still there, but I haven't figured out safeguards to do it in a way that protects me.  Now you'...