The Anti Social Media Movement - End Addiction

People are flocking to the Anti Social Media Movement in record numbers in an effort to maintain their individuality and ultimately their very humanity. People are also rejecting the notion of letting Social Media fry their brains (remember the old "this is your brain on drugs" campaign) to the point they can be used by negative-media profiteers and politico. All of this spells change for certain but how can more be done? How can the goals of greatly reducing the numbers of Social Media addicts be accomplished? What is one person to do about any of this? The answer may simply be to "rock the t-shirt".

The humble T-shirt, once relegated to mere casual wear, has emerged as a powerful tool for social change and activism. In recent years, individuals and organizations alike have harnessed the potential of this everyday garment to convey powerful messages, ignite conversations, and drive movements. The evolution of the T-shirt from a simple piece of clothing to a symbol of resistance and advocacy is a testament to its ability to transcend fashion and become a vehicle for social transformation.

Historical Roots:

The roots of using T-shirts for activism can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s when slogans and graphics found their way onto shirts as a form of self-expression and protest. The tie-dye shirts of the hippie movement and the iconic images of Che Guevara on T-shirts became symbols of counterculture and political dissent. This laid the groundwork for the T-shirt's evolution into a medium for conveying social and political messages.

Expressive Medium:

The simplicity and versatility of T-shirts make them an ideal canvas for self-expression. Activists and artists have embraced the medium to communicate powerful messages succinctly. Slogans, quotes, and visually striking designs printed on T-shirts serve as a way for individuals to express their beliefs, raise awareness about pressing issues, and engage with others in meaningful conversations. This democratization of expression has given a voice to those who may not have access to traditional platforms.

Iconic Campaigns:

Over the years, T-shirts have become synonymous with iconic campaigns and movements. The AIDS awareness red ribbon, the "I ♥ NY" slogan, and the peace symbol are just a few examples of how T-shirts have been used to symbolize and promote causes. More recently, the Anti Social Media Movement and environmental activist have utilized T-shirts to create a visual identity and foster a sense of unity among supporters.

Fundraising and Philanthropy:

The T-shirt has also proven to be a potent tool for fundraising. Nonprofits and charitable organizations often use custom-designed T-shirts to generate funds for their causes. By creating visually appealing and meaningful shirts, these organizations not only raise money but also create a sense of community among those who wear them. The act of purchasing and wearing a shirt becomes a tangible way for individuals to contribute to a cause and show their support.

The Amplification of Anti Social Media Sentiment:

The unwelcome rise of negative social media has further amplified the need for using the impact of T-shirts to try and drive social change. When individuals wear shirts with powerful messages like "The Anti Social Media Movement", they become walking advocates, and the reach of the message extends far beyond ones immediate surroundings. Everyday activities like going outside allow individuals to share those T-shirt messages, creating a ripple effect that can lead to widespread awareness and mobilization. Everyone remembers the smiling yellow face, the peace symbol and the giant, they are now simply part of the human story and they became part of it by appearing on t-shirts.

Conclusion:

From its origins as a basic piece of clothing, the T-shirt has evolved into a powerful instrument for social change and activism. Its simplicity, accessibility, and versatility have allowed it to become a canvas for self-expression, a symbol of solidarity, and a tool for fundraising. As we continue to navigate an increasingly complex world, the T-shirt stands as a reminder that even the most ordinary items can become catalysts for extraordinary change. So, the next time you slip on a T-shirt with a meaningful message, remember that you are not just getting dressed; you are participating in a legacy of activism and contributing to a larger narrative of social transformation.

Support POSITIVE change and help to end Social Media Addiction by wearing an Anti Social Media T-Shirt!

Was Social Media Ruined By Bots? The original intent of bringing people together via Social Networks was noble enough, unfortunately profit trumps purpose online.

Internet Robots / Automated Bots have beyond doubt caused more online mayhem than any one user or groups of social network users combined. Bots continue to be one more reason to join the Anti Social Media Movement as they are the agents of negative commentary and fuel irrational discussion which then becomes polarized and begins to take shape into actual beliefs which then influence behaviors. This cycle has led to the breakdown of society that everyone has noticed in the last 20 years. This is the existential threat, this is public enemy number one. Climate change may ultimately be more effective on the list of things that can end humanity but war and disease can get the job done faster in most cases. In 2024 the facts are that we are seeing an uptick in wars globally and are still in a global pandemic because some people have been influenced to think that they do not have to be considerate of others or value life. Both of those problems can be solved by simply following the golden rule which is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

A Social Media Bot specifically is a program that can automatically interact online and perform tasks like a "re-tweet". Sometimes that task is to interact with other users and Artificial Intelligence augmented robots are very good at these interactions. These programs (Bots) are often used to promote certain products or services but primarily to promote outlandish #FakeNews using "Fake Accounts" for the benefits of whomever profits from the spreading of such sentiment.

Social Media is notorious for fake accounts interacting with real people and influencing them. A fake account is a social media account that is created without any intention of being genuine and at one point there were over 2,200 Million (2.2 Billion Fake Accounts) of them on Facebook and almost 66% of the links shared on Twitter were from BOTS. These automated pretenders have been responsible for everything from influencing people to the point where Bots changed the outcome of the 2016 presidential elections in the United States to causing actual assaults and worse. The false information easily spreads by retweets and wall postings which are usually replies to someone else's message. When a user retweets or re-post something, it is seen as meaning that they are agreeing with that opinion and this is how hundreds of millions of people start getting the wrong ideas and why the online environment is so harsh, illogical, irrational and cruel.

The major tech companies want to project their interest and value today equals how much user data you have which translates to how much you can charge for advertising on your platform as well as your public valuation in various markets. Most people behind the Bots (automated fake accounts included in the blanket term "Bots") use these accounts to spam others and spread false information for profit but the platforms themselves use the Bots to appear more successful and engaging than they really are. These facts have also contributed to the exodus trending away from Social Media platforms. People are becoming more savvy and less trusting online and this could mean a change is on the horizon.

Many people have noticed the trend toward the negative online and since it is abnormal behavior for normal people to flock to negativity, some have decided to no longer participate in the feeding frenzy.

It has been studied and proven that most of the negative and influential information produced by the Bots and Trolls that rule Social Media [https://cits.ucsb.edu/fake-news/spread] is produced in an effort to benefit media publishers (this includes applications like games and other 'for profit" or "for influence" publications).

People who suffer from social media addiction often display similar symptoms as a result of the negative "influence" being exerted upon them online [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9707397/]. Examples of symptoms are that they may: constantly check their devices because they feel the need to stay connected to the stream of "likes" and gossip or sometimes worse information being fed to them. Addicts may also become more irritable than usual when they are offline and not connected to the stream, this is similar to being "off it" for drug addicts. Addicts may begin to sleep less to stay online more. This often leads to neglected appearance and hygiene which again matched other types of addiction consequences. Addicts may eat more junk food than usual because it requires less effort and can be eaten while engaging in Social Media. They may begin to lie online more frequently. They may begin to smoke or drink excessively. They may begin to cheat on their spouses or partners. They may begin to abuse hard drugs like cocaine and fentanyl. They may begin to bully others online in an effort to make themselves feel better about their own lack of motivation to change for the better. They may begin to speak negatively of other people they don't know and should have no concerns about like celebrities and politicians. They may begin doing things to appear more affluent or become more popular online like cheat and steal. They may begin to lose interest in work, school or the people around them. They may begin to show signs of paranoia. They may begin to experience delusions and become involved with other irrational thinkers online. They may begin to hear voices in extreme cases. They may begin to think that they are being followed by the government and start espousing unfounded and illogical conspiracy theories. Eventually they may become psychotic once Social Media has stripped them of their wits and driven them crazy. All of these are now extremely common and have lead to record dysfunction in places like the United States. On top of that, the "addiction/sickness" has spread worldwide. Now, if this doesn't sound like a negative outcome for those who become addicted then nothing does.

What however is causing people to become addicted to something that causes such consequences? The answer has been studied and weaponized by the technologist behind the largest Social Networks and that answer is dopamine [https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2018/dopamine-smartphones-battle-time/] which is a chemical that occurs naturally in the human body. Dopamine is a chemical that can be produced in larger amounts when humans are psychologically stimulated and its effect cycle can become addictive. Using this knowledge and the science behind it has become standard practice by media publishers.

All however, is not lost. Below is information collected and reduced to an easy to digest graphic, which shows that a majority of people (based on a 2019 study result), seem to be disconnecting from the negative influence on Social Media. The chart suggest people are trying to break the Dopamine addiction cycle. The chart suggest the beginnings of "The Dopamine Revolt". The revolt is against the abnormal and psychotic nature of consuming negative information and the up and down cycle being exploited by profiteers against those who in most cases do not understand why or how it is already being used against them.