Is Social Media Changing the Way We Think... or Just How We Talk?

[LoletaLeon]

Alright folks, let’s step outside the sports bubble for a second...

We scroll. We like. We post. But has anyone else noticed how social media isn’t just shaping what we say, but how we think?

Do we still form our own opinions—or are we just echoing what we see online?

Are we more informed... or just more distracted?

Is social media making real conversations harder or easier?

No politics. No finger-pointing. Just real thoughts.

This isn’t about bashing platforms — it’s about how they’ve changed us.
Anyone else feeling this shift?

Let’s hear it — unfiltered, respectful, and real.
👀 Who's brave enough to dig into this?

✅ Why This Works:
Touches on a relatable and deep topic that people of all ages experience daily.

Invites reflection without being confrontational.

Opens the floor for opinions, which drives comments and long discussions.

Uses a conversational tone that lowers the barrier for participation.

 

[EXTRAPOLATER]

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Arguments against social media posit that it fuels misinformation, exacerbates mental health issues, and undermines social cohesion. Concerns include the spread of fake news, cyberbullying, and the formation of echo chambers, leading to increased polarization and social division. Additionally, social media's addictive nature and focus on instant gratification are seen as contributing to psychological problems like anxiety, depression, and decreased attention spans.

Only problem with this fence I'm on is the barbed wire.
Give me a ring to let me know that things have settled down and that you're okay.

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p.s.
why what works?
social media in Shangri-La?

p.t.cute
Not a sleeper, btw, and I don't fall asleep on my mates, certainly not as flesh blanket.
If that's happening, maybe you shouldn't try so hard. No pun etc.

 

[JOSHNAUDI]

One of my biggest concerns with AI is that I believe it is going to further divide humanity. We will have some that spot it right away and then we will have others who read something and attribute it to individual think.

I've been pretty happy that the creators of these AI have added emoticons and other repetitive nuances that seem to make AI deriven speech easier to spot. Now I am a firm believer that the puppet master still has to ask for the data. I went and asked chatgpt to "help me create a post on a sports betting forum in the general forum that asks users to give me their opinions on whether social media is changing the way they think or just mainly the way they talk and communicate. make sure this doesnt get political."

Results
"
Is Social Media Changing How You Think or Just How You Talk?


Curious what you guys think — with all the social media we scroll through every day (X, TikTok, YouTube, IG, etc.), do you feel like it's actually changing the way you think about things? Or is it mostly just changing the way we talk, like our slang, tone, and how we interact with people?


I’m not looking to get into anything political — just wondering if you’ve noticed shifts in how your brain processes stuff, forms opinions, or if it’s more about how you express yourself to others.


Would love to hear your takes.


"

 

[EXTRAPOLATER]

One of my biggest concerns with AI is that I believe it is going to further divide humanity.

Part of my problem is trying to make sense of things that are just too damn obvious. Are you implying that you used deception, perhaps in order to stir up more varied opinion and discussion? If so, results must be disappointing. Mind you, maybe I could use a disguise to try to stir up some action. Foxy blondes work on some unsuspecting victims <cough>

I'm trying to stay awake until the corner store opens, so why not toss some word salad and see if anything appetizing results.

What does "further divide humanity" refer to? The creation of more varied tribal groupings for people to slot their identities into? Politics and religion are very stable groupings (e.g. just a duality in the USA), but maybe by a further division of humanity you mean more biased black & white opinions and the further degradation of nuance. I presume that between the two references suggested, you likely mean the latter.

Another possibility altogether is that you are referring to ultimate division of humanity by an increasing concentration on radical individualism. The technology is allowing many to live increasingly in isolated bubbles--even out in public--which can be viewed as the ultimate splintering and can further isolate us regardless of whatever tribalism's we want to affix to our identities.

We have a limited number of political parties, religions, and even sports franchises, so division, that way, is somewhat limited. Whatever the population of the planet is, however, seems our upper limit on humanity's "division". The Machine Stops, by E.M. Forster, comes to mind. People still make virtual contacts with others but the isolation--in this story, caused by convenience as well--is glaring. Decent old Outer Limits (I think it was) episode covers the story, and I believe there is a decent audiobook copy available somewhere on youtube.

That was too quick. The sun is still sleeping, here.

 

[EXTRAPOLATER]

I've been pretty happy that the creators of these AI have added emoticons and other repetitive nuances that seem to make AI deriven speech easier to spot. Now I am a firm believer that the puppet master still has to ask for the data.

A recognizable pattern in AI responses would have an algorithmic nature--as you say, repetitive--where one could spot the boundaries in its allowed responses. If the responses or language get predictable, I'd say such is lacking nuance by definition. Maybe that's just me being nit-picky (i.e. an asshole). Maybe not; nuance is required somewhere in education, whether part of critical thinking lessons or otherwise.

I just went through a pretty lengthy list of "protest" songs and, interestingly, the word puppet was not spotted at all. Regardless, I am curious who or what "the puppet master" is. If you are dealing with ChatGPT, in the privacy or you own home, then your computer (and running software) is the puppet and you--as the one asking the questions--becomes the puppet master who is asking for the data.

Your next lines demonstrate how you directed the puppet to aid and abet the master for seemingly sly purposes.

Lastly, I don't think that one can change their behavior--including how they express themselves--without "changing the way [one] thinks about things", i.e. without "shifts in how your brain processes stuff, forms opinions". Of course, we might have disagreement on what is meant by "changing" or "shifts".

I still hope she's real. That was you on the Pirates, then? You must know there's no college hoops, certainly. And how about that AFC sleeper sleeping on the Texans. Something is over my head.

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[MadJack]