If we had hard metrics relating the impact of [using social media] on bottom line, our current technopoly would likely crumble. - Deep Work by Cal Newport.
Cal Newport raises an interesting concept that deserves testing. I created Memair DNS in order to test the effect of social media. In my first experiment I tested self reported happiness for 60 days. The results were alarming.
There is possible bias introduced by my preconceptions. However with these results, I can confidently conclude that social media is having a negative effect on my happiness.
Unfriending Facebook
Facebook’s network effect makes it difficult to leave. There is, however, value in my Facebook network so I don’t want to delete my account. I have opted to encourage communication via email by changing my profile pic to email instructions.
I will change my habits and check Facebook once a week on Fridays. Eventually moving to once every 2 weeks and then once a month.
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA256
- ---
title: "Social Media Experiment Results"
description: "My 60-day experiment confirmed social media makes me less happy. I'm stepping back from Facebook."
image: /wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-07-02_social_media_experiment_results.png
author: Greg
layout: post
permalink: /2019/07/social-media-experiment-results/
date: 2019-07-06 08:41:37 -0400
comments: True
licence: Creative Commons
categories:
- personal
tags:
- quantified self
- ---
> If we had hard metrics relating the impact of [using social media] on bottom line, our current technopoly would likely crumble. - Deep Work by Cal Newport.
Cal Newport raises an interesting concept that deserves testing. I created [Memair DNS](https://memair.com/dns) in order to test the effect of social media. In my [first experiment](/2019/05/self-experimentation-with-social-media/) I tested self reported happiness for 60 days. The results were alarming.
<p align="center">
<img width="100%" height="100%" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-07-02_social_media_experiment_results.png" alt="Social Media Experiment Results" title="Social Media Experiment Results">
</p>
There is possible bias introduced by my preconceptions. However with these results, I can confidently conclude that social media is having a negative effect on my happiness.
### Unfriending Facebook
Facebook's network effect makes it difficult to leave. There is, however, value in my Facebook network so I don't want to delete my account. I have opted to encourage communication via email by changing my profile pic to email instructions.
<p align="center">
<img width="50%" height="50%" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/updated_facebook_profile_pic.png" alt="Updated Facebook Profile Pic" title="Updated Facebook Profile Pic">
</p>
I will change my habits and check Facebook once a week on Fridays. Eventually moving to once every 2 weeks and then once a month.
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