tl;dr - the advent of social media has made you, the person, both the supplier and demand force in the "new media economy." This is a huge problem for plugged in guys, and I'll outline why. The crux of the problem is answering the question, "what am I demanding?"
Intro - Economic Theory Foundation
Most laymen are familiar with basics in economic theory. As demand increases for any given item, suppliers will compete to provide that thing in greater quantity at some price that both sides agree works. Simple stuff.
However, this theory assumes that the "forces" of supply and demand are separate, independent, and rational. What does that mean? Broadly speaking, economic theory imagines two "sides" with different motivations that work "against" each other - the result is a nice equilibrium where both parties benefit because at the equilibrium, the consumer pays less than he otherwise would and the producer sells for for higher than he otherwise would.
This mutual benefit is "economic surplus". Each party's SEPARATE self-interest creates the equilibrium.
The New Media Economy
In the new media economy, the roles of supplier and demand force have been blended for the benefit of a new middleman - the owners of platforms.
Ultimately, new media discovered that attention itself is both heavily demanded and readily supplied by the same entity - the "user". A society of "users" on average simultaneously (i) seek and value attention and (ii) willingly supply content for the sake of attention.
Upvotes, Instagram/Facebook likes, retweets, and various shares are effectively currency - but the platform sits outside the supply and demand system entirely. The economic result is that the users derive no surplus on either end.
Practically speaking, "no surplus" means that the content we post (supply) is rewarded with attention (demand), but WE VALUE SUPPLY the same way we create demand (attention).
Converting Theory to Practical
Think of it this way - if you sell bananas but get paid in bananas, the system is all fucked up, because the whole transaction nets to zero for everyone. Now imagine you also really like bananas, so you eat the bananas you got paid in. Replace "bananas" with "content, attention, and new media currency". You ain't getting shit from this deal as a user.
The Demand Problem
And now we reach the core issue - demand for certain types of content can enter this ecosystem and SEPARATELY AND INDEPENDENTLY drive the attention feedback loop.
Anger and outrage are at an all time demand high on all sides of the cultural spectrum. Content producers will whip out a phone to catch people yelling at their kids, abusing their boyfriends, and share stories of victimization. This isn't just "the left" or "SJWs" - this issue is rampant even in TRP!
Ultimately, the "bad" is more valuable than the good or positive in our current climate. This is true of politics, culture, religion, and even sexual strategy. What flies to the top of TwoXChromosomes isn't terribly different from what tops manosphere subreddits - "look how terrible [thing] is."
As the demand for outrage increases (fed by attention from users), supply must catch up. This creates an ugly spiral on all sides - entire subreddits exist on both sides to manufacture supply (real and fake alike) for that precious currency of attention.
So what do we do as men to overcome the cycle for ourselves?
Solve The Attention Feedback Loop
Ultimately, the desire to participate in the attention machine comes from a deficiency of emotional fulfillment.
The Instagram thot posting her ass for likes, the victim porn on female-oriented subreddits, and the pissed off MGTOWs posting entitled dating profiles are doing the same thing - entering the attention loop by meeting a demand.
Conclusions and Advice
TRP is here to teach you the foundations of being a man, and the most important are (i) learn to think for yourself and question the narrative, (ii) whatever you're doing, do it for you.
Let's be clear - this isn't anti social media post number 3837. It is advice to understand why you demand the content you choose to consume.
When you enter the attention seeking cycle, you are inherently performing for others' approval. When you consume outrage content, you are no more than a lowly user. If you were getting adequate healthy attention, would you really make a habit of reading this shit?
If you subscribe to and spend hours a week reading rage porn (Braincels, MGTOW, WAATGM, some parts of TRP), ask yourself as simple question - "why am I creating demand for this?"
Unpleasant answers to questions the cultural zeitgeist doesn't want asked is core Red Pill.
"How Does This Get Me Laid"?
Easy - you sure as hell WON'T get laid sitting around reading about other peoples' (mostly shitty) relationships and getting mad about it. You WILL get laid by becoming a better man and breaking the attention feedback loop.
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Imperator_Red 5y ago
I hate social media too, but your economic surplus theory seems flawed. It assumes that giving attention is like paying money and receiving attention is like receiving money, thus resulting in the zero sum attention world that you describe. I don't think giving attention is really analogous to paying someone money though. It doesn't really cost you anything.
RightHandWolf 5y ago
It costs you one irreplaceable resource . . . your time. To be fair, it's not just social media that can be a time suck; thanks to robo-calls and spoofing, I don't know anybody who just answers the phone without looking at the caller ID.
Douchelampe 5y ago
I've found that quitting instagram and therefore stopping to give out free validation (likes, watching stories, etc) had no negative impact on my day-to-day life, because when we are watching what other people are doing on social media we almost never remember everything, but what stays is the occasional depressive feeling of not having a life as great as others (FOMO).
The informational value which most of the active instagram users are providing is so low, that it really isn't worth the negative impact it has on our minds.
vengefully_yours 5y ago
Is that a thing with you guys? Giving a fuck if you don't have a life that appears to be as awesome as that of others? I have never given a fuck what others have, unless they have something I want. Rather than being mad or feeling bad about not having it, I find a way to get it for myself. I have my own life, I do my own thing, you do yours. If you find something cool, I might get one too, but I might not. It depends on if I have a use or need for it.
If you are always looking at what others have and wishing you had it, but not doing anything to earn it, you will always be waiting. That is feminine thinking. Masculine thinking is going out tomake it happen, to build it, to earn it, whatever it takes, however much work is needed, nothing will stop you from your goal. Girls want to be given things, men build things.
Be a builder and builders are more concerned with what they can do and have to do than what others appear to have.
inbredostrptw 5y ago
You can focus better on what you want to build by not paying attention to what other people are (not) building
tb0n 5y ago
This is really good. It also helps explain how much more laid back I am since deleting social media. I’m not in this loop.
KeffirLime 5y ago
The creation and spread of outrage media appeals to the emotional. This is why women love it and more and more men are joining the parade too.
It's a drug to them, and they need to constantly consume it to feel some sense of purpose.
Distributing such media shapes the way an individual interprets society. Eventually they see turmoil around every corner.
This is basically the fuel of the left on issues such as sexism and racism, "fascism". It's endless emotion driven posts, gobbled and peddled further by each eager user.
Eventually facts mean nothing to them because they feel it to be true.
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KeffirLime 5y ago
I always ask two questions, am I doing this because it adds value or because I enjoy it.
If it falls under the enjoyment banner I ask myself why do I enjoy this over any other activity, and does this enjoyment come at a cost.
Usually for the majority of activities the answer is low effort dopamine and yes.
I'll either be aware of the cost, while continuing, or in most cases, I'll adjust.
DiSysmic 5y ago
This is one hell of a way to say “don’t waste your time”. Very subtle but you’ve explained it very well. Great post.
warlordchad 5y ago
So true. We as humans have a negativity bias, in that we remember shitty things that happen to us far more than the good stuff. In terms of evolution this was useful--if a lion chases me and almost kills me, but I somehow escape, I'm going to remember that for the rest of my life and avoid lions.
Now, however, it's counterproductive as OP points out. Politics is a great example--people get all wound up about shit Trump does, or Obama, or whoever, and in reality, most of that stuff has no effect on their life. It's just something to get bent out of shape about.
miserablesisyphus 5y ago
Yesterday I found this interesting study done by Alison P. Lenton and Marco Francesconi. Here's a brief overview:
I think this may be a big reason men are having less sex. Sure, there are probably a lot of other factors, but consider the amount of choice a woman now has due to social media--it's almost limitless. Maybe it isn't the "attention feedback loop", but rather the inability to choose due to such a high number and variability in potential choices. Is it possible women are still having sex, but with few partners because of the difficulty in choosing?
420KUSHBUSH 5y ago
Well done research, very prominent study brought up in psychology classes so hats off to you for bringing it up in your comment
I believe you have a point, just that the women that are vulnerable to tons of sexual attention are the ones that drown out the more selective ones. I used to believe that all girls sleep around with a ton of guys and such though that is definitely not true, as well as the findings in that study probably have something to do with your proposition of women having less partners
That or western culture is making most of them mentally insane and entitled. Hard to say really
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Satou4 5y ago
I've found that I use social "media" when I'm stressed or frustrated. I'm looking to receive validation. If that comes from a single upvote or comment "reply," I'll take it and I feel some "relief." Unless the response creates more frustration because the guy quoted unnecessary "words."
I've found comedy does the same thing. So passive consumption of comedies on youtube channels can be a good way of unplugging. Just disable comments first so you don't read them. Yeah you're giving another view but if you have no other way to sate your tension then it can be a good option. Bonus, it might help your personality.
DownyGall 5y ago
Regardless of the advice on social media, this is an incredible explanation of how social media works and how bankrupt it is. The banana explanation is brilliant.
ThinSpiritual 5y ago
What about the feedback loop in the SMP... especially for people who participate in casual sex. Is the same theory applicable?
Take myself for example, I recently started to reflect on my lifestyle because I can't remember 95% of the sex I've had with random girls... only a few memorable ones standout.
I feel like I'm chasing tails here, spending $$ and time on dates/drinks/getting to know people, and not remembering most of it.
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BlackPyro 5y ago
I strongly recommend that you guys get into reading and writing. Ever since I left school, it's been nothing but video games and Netflix, and I noticed that my brain has suffered. As a result, I limit my time in front of the screen unless I'm blogging. Reading and writing allows your imagination to flourish and can build up your free association
RightHandWolf 5y ago
Social media, reality TV, porn and professional sports are a waste of time. Instead of getting some exercise, some nooky, or having an awesome life of your own, all those things encourage you to spend your time jacking off (figuratively or literally) on the sidelines. Instead of being an active participant in your own life, all those things are only there to make you a spectator of other people's lives. I'd rather be making the plays myself, instead of spending my time wishing I was living somebody else's life.
neasonal 5y ago
While I don’t think it was your intent, this phrasing ventures near false equivalency and distracts from the core argument.
There’s a clear difference between the quality of content and frequency/quantity of rageporn across incel boards, mgtow, trp, and Twix. There’s also a clear difference in the goals and behavior of leadership.