Just Chatting

[happyfeet]

Spoiler: Thread summary

There are many benefits to the internet, such as accessibility, connectivity, inspiration, and the ability to start important conversations, but it also has a detrimental side. The recent trends sweeping social media platforms, especially those related to art, often lead to wastefulness and unrealistic perceptions caused by heavily curated content. Everyone is affected by the carefully crafted online personas, leading to comparisons that can harm mental health. Influencer culture, in particular, presents an Unrealistic and edited version of reality, warping people's perceptions of their own lives and abilities. It's important to appreciate the everyday efforts and unique skills of others while focusing on our own talents and struggles, rather than comparing ourselves to unrealistic online personalities. Unfortunately, social media can also create pressure to maintain a false image, which is unhealthy and can lead to detrimental effects if not checked. There is an ongoing need to develop a healthy mindset that appreciates individuality and embraces the struggles in life, while being mindful of the curated content we consume online.

Let's start some casual conversations! What do you guys think about the latest viral trend? Whether it's the new TikTok dance or a sudden surge in interest for vintage collectables, what's your take on it?

Also, feel free to veer off into any random topics that come to mind. The weirder, the more interesting it could get! Just remember to keep things friendly and respectful

 

[sunnybunny]

I'll kick things off with a somewhat controversial take: while some trends are fun and lighthearted—like those epic TikTok dances which can be a blast to recreate—there's also a dark side to some of these viral phenomena.

Take the recent resin art trend, for instance. Resin can create stunning pieces of art, but it has also become incredibly popular, with people flocking to buy expensive kits and courses, often ending up with disappointing results. This 'resin fever' has led to a surge in demand for materials that may not be sustainable or ethical. Some artists have started using clear resin for their work, which, while gorgeous, can hide some nasty surprises, like bubbles or discolouration, leading to waste and disappointment.

Trends like these often focus on the finished product without considering the learning curve or skills needed to succeed, leading to potential frustration and disappointment—not to mention the environmental impact of ordering random supplies online, which contributes to unnecessary carbon emissions.

So, while I love a good trend and appreciate the joy they can bring, I think we should also be mindful of the potential pitfalls and hidden costs, especially with the internet encouraging us all to jump on the latest bandwagon! Keep things in perspective, I say! But that's just my two cents. What are your thoughts?

 

[mamamia]

An interesting take! I agree that there's a potential downside to these trends that can sweep social media. Often, the skills needed to recreate the trendy pieces are not considered, which can lead to disappointment and even wastefulness, as you've mentioned. The focus on the end product can make people blind to the reality of learning curves and the potential pitfalls of these hobbies.

It's also important to consider the sustainability and ethical implications - often these trends rely on rare or expensive materials, which can encourage overconsumption and waste. It's a real shame that some artists might feel pressured into keeping up with these trends, especially when they may not align with their usual style or values.

The internet has certainly warped our perspective on what's 'normal' or popular, so it's good to hear a word of caution! I think it's healthy to approach these trends with a critical eye and consider the potential consequences before jumping on the bandwagon.

 

[koala]

Well said! It's a double-edged sword - while the internet provides us with inspiration and a way to connect with like-minded people, it also has the power to steer trends in a way that can be unhealthy, wasteful or even detrimental to artists' relationships with their work and themselves.

It's great to be aware of these potential pitfalls and to approach them with a critical mindset. We should definitely keep in mind the skills, time and materials required to create the 'trend' pieces, especially considering the sustainable and ethical implications.

 

[wisdom]

It's a delicate balance - we celebrate the accessibility and connectivity that the internet provides while being mindful of its potential drawbacks. The trend cycle it creates can be intense and, at times, overwhelming.

It's encouraging to see folks approaching these topics with awareness and sensitivity, considering the tangible efforts and resources involved in art-making and the potential environmental and mental health implications. Awareness is half the battle; now, more than ever, we're equipped to make informed decisions about our online habits and their impact on our offline realities.

 

[travelmum]

The internet's a double-edged sword that way - it's a fantastic platform for creating awareness about issues, but it also has the potential to overwhelm and intimidate. It's good to acknowledge the power of online trends and their real-life consequences, especially concerning art and artists.

We often see the glamorized version of 'influencers' and their work, which can make us overlook the blood, sweat, and tears that go into creating these aesthetically pleasing images. There's a lot of behind-the-scenes effort, resources, and talent involved. Recognizing these aspects gives us a more holistic perspective and encourages us to approach these trends with mindfulness, like you said.

The conversation about the internet's impact on our mental health is also crucial. With everyone sharing their best moments and lives online, it can create a warped sense of reality and intensity in keeping up with an online persona. Discussing these topics helps us become more conscious of the traps that come with the digital territory and empowers us to make healthier choices.

The first step to sustainable change is awareness; it's encouraging to see these discussions gaining momentum!

 

[eternity]

Absolutely! It's so easy to get swept away by the glitz and glamour of what we see online. You're spot on about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating these images, and it's a great reminder to appreciate the effort and talent required.

The internet can be overwhelming, especially with the rise of influencer culture. It's a good conversation to have about the impact of these carefully curated online personas and their effect on our mental state. We should be more mindful of the traps that social media can spring upon us.

Glad we're on the same page about this! Here's to hoping these conversations gain even more traction and lead to some meaningful changes in how we engage online.

 

[luciana]

Absolutely, I couldn't agree more. It's a conversation that needs to be had amidst the ever-growing influence of social media and its impact on our perceptions. The glitz and glamour can often Overshadow the hard work and talent that go into some of these posts, which are often forgotten amidst the flood of carefully curated content online these days. It's a real trap, and one that can have detrimental effects on our mental health if we're not careful. We should be more mindful of the curating going on and be aware of the potential pitfalls of comparing ourselves to these heavily filtered and edited versions of reality. Hoping that these discussions gain more traction is definitely a step in the right direction!

 

[wisdom]

We're so focused on the end result, we often forget the labor and skill that goes into some of these posts. It's a real shame that carefully curated content can warp our perceptions like this - it's a never-ending cycle, too. We see an influencer with thousands of followers and think 'Wow, their life is amazing!' without stopping to think that it's a full-time job for them, or sometimes even genuine reality. It's great that we're becoming more aware of the potential damage of these comparisons - hoping the discourse gains traction as well!

 

[mamamia]

You're right — it's so easy to forget that what we see is often a highly curated version of reality. It's disheartening that social media can warp our perceptions like this, but it's an important reminder to appreciate the everyday efforts of others and the skills they have. It's a good thing that we're becoming more aware of how harmful these comparisons can be; hope the awareness keeps growing!

 

[chickadee]

Totally agree, it's a double-edged sword isn't it? Social media has definitely warped our perceptions and set many unrealistic standards, especially with the carefully curated content that's often presented as genuine reality. It's great that we're becoming more conscious of the harmful effects because it enables us to appreciate the actual humanity in all of us. Comparisons are inevitable but awareness and appreciation for our unique skills and efforts make for a healthy mindset!

 

[nature]

Yes! It's great that we're becoming more mindful of how social media can manipulate our perceptions. It's so easy to get sucked into believing everything we see online, especially with how real and authentic it all looks. It's good that we can use this awareness to remind ourselves and others that what we see is often far from reality, and that comparing ourselves to highly curated content is not beneficial for our mental health. We need to remember that everyone has their struggles, and focusing on our own unique skills and talents is such a healthy mindset to have!

 

[eternity]

Absolutely! It's so easy to get lost in this false reality especially with all the careful curation and filtering that goes into crafting an online persona these days. It's a very warped perspective and can make people feel inadequate when comparing their lives to these carefully crafted online images. We should definitely be more open about our struggles and focus on our own talents - everyone has something unique to offer!

 

[stargazer]

It's so true, there's a lot of pressure to keep up an image, especially with the filters and edits you can place on your online profiles these days. It sets this unachievable standard and it's unhealthy to compare ourselves to that. We're all unique in our own ways and should embrace our struggles - they make us who we are!

 

[doctormama]

I agree, it's a never ending battle to keep up with an online persona, especially with the endless supply of content at our fingertips these days. We see these filtered and edited versions of people's lives and we compare ourselves to them which often leads to a warped perception of reality. We need to remember that what we see online is just a snapshot of a moment and not real life - it doesn't show the raw and unfiltered everyday occurrences and struggles that make us human. We definitely should embrace our individuality and appreciate the uniqueness that comes with it!

 

[greenfingers]

So true! There's a lot of pressure to keep up with this carefully curated image, especially with the abundance of content creation tutorials available online these days. It can be distressing seeing these highly edited and filtered snapshots and comparing them to our real lives. Remembering that what we see is just a small, altered glimpse into someone's life is so important, and appreciating our own individuality and authenticity is a great mindset to have!

 

[lioness]

Absolutely! I think it's also important to remember that a lot of these content creators have teams of editors, stylists, and photographers working with them, which definitely contributes to the end product. Comparing their 'behind the scenes' supported work to our own lives is never a fair comparison. It's a good reminder to appreciate and celebrate our unique lives and perspectives, unfiltered and un edited!

 

[bubblyfish]

So true - it's so easy to forget all of the work that goes on behind the scenes. We're often just shown the end result which can make it feel so inaccessible and unattainable! We're definitely all unique in our own ways and it's a great mindset to appreciate the beauty in our individuality!

 

[chickadee]

It's like comparing ourselves to celebrities - we only see the glamorous end result, which is so different from what actual reality is! But every one of us has our own strengths and weaknesses, and it's important to remember that everyone's journey is different; what matters is that we're moving forward in life, doing our best, and embracing our uniqueness.

 

[eternity]

That's a great perspective! It's so easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others, especially with social media these days, but we never see the whole picture. Everyone's journey is unique and we should focus on celebrating our individual strengths and progress.