Social media addiction – how it changes your brain, with Luke Burgis
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By definition, mimetic desire means that we’re adopting another person’s desire as our own, usually without even realizing that we’re doing it. Social media has given us millions of mimetic models that we now have to contend with. Some people have gone from having 10 mimetic models to now having thousands, and we haven’t quite come to grips as a culture with what that means for our mental and emotional health.
All desire comes from us feeling like we lack something, which can bring us into a dangerous, vicious habit because there will always be another model to find. We have to choose our models wisely whether they are famous influencers across the globe or our closest friends. We also have to know when the model is inflaming us with the desire for something that’s going to bring real fulfillment or whether it’s going to bring a dopamine hit or allow us to fantasize about a life that we’ll probably never have.
All desires are modeled for us 24 hours a day, billions of them, and we need to understand the mimetic landscape of social media, or else we’ll become completely controlled by it.
Read the video transcript:
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About Luke Burgis:
Luke Burgis is a veteran entrepreneur and author. He’s the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship in Washington, DC, and the founder of Fourth Wall Ventures, an incubator that invests in people, art, and technology that contribute to a healthy human ecology. Luke studied business at NYU Stern before doing graduate work in philosophy and earning an S.T.B. in Theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. He’s the author of the book Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life, which popularized the work of cultural anthropologist René Girard. He lives with his wife, Claire, in the DC area.
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Profile of a social media addict: Do you fit the description?
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Psychology, Social Media Addiction, and the Element of Surprise
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Social media addiction is a growing concern in today’s society, with many people spending countless hours on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. While these platforms can be a great way to connect with friends, share photos, and stay informed about current events, excessive use can have negative effects on our brains and overall well-being.
Research has shown that social media addiction can actually change the structure of our brains. When we receive likes, comments, and shares on our posts, our brains release dopamine, a feel-good chemical that gives us a sense of pleasure and satisfaction. Over time, our brains can become reliant on this rush of dopamine, leading to a cycle of addiction where we constantly crave the validation and approval we get from others online.
One study published in the journal PLOS One found that heavy social media users had a higher volume of gray matter in the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions. This could mean that excessive social media use is associated with heightened emotional responses, both positive and negative. This could explain why some people feel a sense of validation and happiness when they receive likes on their posts, but also feel intense feelings of jealousy or inadequacy when comparing themselves to others online.
Furthermore, social media addiction can impact our ability to focus and concentrate. Constantly checking our phones for notifications or scrolling through our feeds can make it difficult to stay present in the moment and engage in deep, meaningful conversations with others. This can have a negative impact on our relationships and overall well-being, as face-to-face interactions are essential for developing empathy, connection, and understanding with others.
In addition to changing the structure of our brains, social media addiction can also have negative effects on our mental health. Studies have shown that excessive social media use is associated with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness. This could be due to the fact that social media often presents a distorted version of reality, where people only share the highlights of their lives and filter out the negative aspects. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, as we compare ourselves to others and feel like we’re not measuring up.
So, what can we do to combat social media addiction and protect our brains from its negative effects? The first step is to become more mindful of our social media usage. Try to limit the amount of time you spend on these platforms each day, and set boundaries for when and where you use them. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through your feed, try to engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, such as reading a book, going for a walk, or spending time with loved ones.
It’s also important to cultivate strong relationships offline, as these connections are essential for our overall well-being. Make an effort to spend quality time with friends and family, have meaningful conversations, and engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. By prioritizing these relationships and activities, you can reduce your reliance on social media for validation and connection, and protect your brain from the negative effects of addiction.
In conclusion, social media addiction can have profound effects on our brains and mental health, leading to changes in brain structure, heightened emotional responses, and feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. By becoming more mindful of our social media usage, setting boundaries, and prioritizing offline relationships, we can protect our brains and overall well-being from the negative effects of addiction.
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