yes! the implications of what Wynn-Williams shares with us is staggering, it’s incredible that she used her time to collect so much evidence too, and attempt to push back against their immoral behavior while she was there, but she couldn’t stop them
It’s a sobering read! I hope more folks get to read it :)
I really appreciate you sharing this as a book review. I’m curious, did you find yourself making lasting changes based on what you know? As I’m reading your review and I’m in literally in my head like “but I love Threads, what would I do without sharing my art Instagram, do I want to be off on Instagram?” My mind is constantly toggling between getting off these platforms for my wellness and staying on because I enjoy sharing.
Right! Oh absolutely I’m in the same boat as you right now. Even before reading but especially afterwards. I’ve been trying to figure out the answer and I’m still not sure. Wynn-Williams lasting message seems to be that it’s ultimately a legislative issue, and she’s declaring the urgency of regulation, pleading to US government (she spoke with the gov in court too). The tech has outpaced the gov’s ability to regulate it by miles and miles.
This is why I end up making the analogy of Meta to cars. Because like cars many of us are now dependent on that technology to function in normal society, and yet cars are ruining the environment and a leading cause of death/injury. But as everyday people, we have to get to work and see our friends and family, and the systems in place make driving a necessity.
So maybe like cars, if you don’t have to drive, don’t. It’s dangerous and bad for your health. And as everyday people, we should start seeking out alternatives for Meta—Ad free social media has to be a priority—and make regulation of social media a priority in our politics, like seriously up there with climate change etc.
In the meantime, I started setting 1-5 minutes timers for when I visit Instagram. Our attention is their biggest product. I’m keeping my attention for myself. I’ll check in on the relationships I’ve made in the book community, or for example lately, sharing the nonprofit publishers who posted about their NEA funding being pulled by current president! Then I gtfo!!!!
Also I’ve been choosing to read instead of scrolling! So I guess I have been making changes after reading this memoir 😮💨😅
Amani, this has been such an insightful conversation. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective and your experience. I love this so much! And I absolutely love the analogy using cars. It’s brilliant and it puts so much into perspective. I appreciate this.
“I’d check underneath and see nothing there, but as I listened to more of the memoir, I realized the monster was in the bed with me, and it had been for years, within the phone in my hands, in the charming apps created and bought by Meta, formerly known as Facebook.”
I’m reading softcore now (so didn’t read your full review to avoid spoilers) and I am going through it soooo quickly. It’s captivating
Alix, that’s great to hear! Cuz I was amazed with how it was such a page turner while still preserving its poetic style
yes totally! i'm hoping to finally come back to book club in july, hope to discuss it then :)
ooo that’d be brilliant! ❣️
Whew that first book seems scary omg
yes! the implications of what Wynn-Williams shares with us is staggering, it’s incredible that she used her time to collect so much evidence too, and attempt to push back against their immoral behavior while she was there, but she couldn’t stop them
It’s a sobering read! I hope more folks get to read it :)
I really appreciate you sharing this as a book review. I’m curious, did you find yourself making lasting changes based on what you know? As I’m reading your review and I’m in literally in my head like “but I love Threads, what would I do without sharing my art Instagram, do I want to be off on Instagram?” My mind is constantly toggling between getting off these platforms for my wellness and staying on because I enjoy sharing.
Right! Oh absolutely I’m in the same boat as you right now. Even before reading but especially afterwards. I’ve been trying to figure out the answer and I’m still not sure. Wynn-Williams lasting message seems to be that it’s ultimately a legislative issue, and she’s declaring the urgency of regulation, pleading to US government (she spoke with the gov in court too). The tech has outpaced the gov’s ability to regulate it by miles and miles.
This is why I end up making the analogy of Meta to cars. Because like cars many of us are now dependent on that technology to function in normal society, and yet cars are ruining the environment and a leading cause of death/injury. But as everyday people, we have to get to work and see our friends and family, and the systems in place make driving a necessity.
So maybe like cars, if you don’t have to drive, don’t. It’s dangerous and bad for your health. And as everyday people, we should start seeking out alternatives for Meta—Ad free social media has to be a priority—and make regulation of social media a priority in our politics, like seriously up there with climate change etc.
In the meantime, I started setting 1-5 minutes timers for when I visit Instagram. Our attention is their biggest product. I’m keeping my attention for myself. I’ll check in on the relationships I’ve made in the book community, or for example lately, sharing the nonprofit publishers who posted about their NEA funding being pulled by current president! Then I gtfo!!!!
Also I’ve been choosing to read instead of scrolling! So I guess I have been making changes after reading this memoir 😮💨😅
Amani, this has been such an insightful conversation. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective and your experience. I love this so much! And I absolutely love the analogy using cars. It’s brilliant and it puts so much into perspective. I appreciate this.
Yes thank you for sparking this conversation!! As you can tell, I’ve been going through the same struggles lately. It’s a tricky one.
Btw your art is really cool!!
It’s good to know I’m not alone! And it’s good to hear how you’re making your way through.
And thank you! I appreciate that!
“I’d check underneath and see nothing there, but as I listened to more of the memoir, I realized the monster was in the bed with me, and it had been for years, within the phone in my hands, in the charming apps created and bought by Meta, formerly known as Facebook.”
Is soooo good