This morning over coffee, I did what I normally do.
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@killyourfm I feel the same way. The constant deluge of negativity on the internet wears me down. That's why I'm very happy in my little pocket of the Fediverse with a bunch of generally happy nerds, and I have drastically toned down my news consumption (while still attempting to stay informed). I've hit a point in my life where my mental health is more important than the rage encouraged by the internet.
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@dm That's a very health stance, Dave. Loudly applauding that over here. I've also cut down my news sources to mostly tech and hiking stuff, but I probably need to AGGRESSIVELY start filtering here (I do love this place).
The negativity seeps in through every little crack.
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Michael Labowiczreplied to Seasons of Jason last edited by
@killyourfm sometimes it's just good to switch up your routine. I get sick of the Internet from time to time as well and step away for a bit to do other things. After a while the interest seems to come back
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Seasons of Jasonreplied to Michael Labowicz last edited by
@mlabowicz Yep, that's a good insight. I felt happiest the last few months when I'm outside hiking, camping, backpacking. That was a massive switch to my routine! But the more I do that, the more listless and sadder I feel being at home...
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@intrepidhero I've been getting outside (hiking, backpacking, camping) almost constantly for the past 3 months... and the jarring halt to that might be part of my problem! It's just not sustainable or realistic to be constantly "out there" as much as I want to be...
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@killyourfm Well, for one, cutting back on caffeine helps if you deal with anxiety.
I just think that as the internet has continued to be enshittified (largely by AI slop) and driven into the ground by commercial interests, it's harder and harder to find stimulating content (except the kind that targets the most base urges).
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@akm That's a good insight, as sad as it is... Thanks for mentioning it.
Reflecting on it, it feels like there are 2 major things wearing on me:
1) The onslaught of AI slop and seemingly EVERY tool and website wanting to shove it down my throat. I should take some steps to filter as much of that out as possible.
2) The state of politics, and the increasing toxicity surrounding it.
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@killyourfm I feel that! I often I wish I could take a year off of life just wander the wilderness. Hang in there!
I just went through my photos from the last 5 years and made them into a photobook. It was a great exercise of remembering all the amazing places I've been and things I've done. When I'm stuck indoors, flipping through it gives me a little hit of the peace I felt when I was out there.
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Kilroy_Was_Herereplied to Seasons of Jason last edited by
I've felt the same about computers overall. I'd rather do stuff in the real world. No real sense of achievement when it comes to computers.
I was gonna buy a 3D printer, but such equipment would mean more computer time. More and more I'm asking myself "do I really want to spend more time on the computer?" I've been reminded of mortality a lot in the past year, I don't want to die having lived in front of a screen.
Computers are valuable tools. Not something to build life around.
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@killyourfm You had an amazing outdoor experience and perhaps the winter blah is making you feel this way.
I feel the same reading my RSS feeds. I'm slowly removing tech news & replacing them with great blogs. Reading about others experiences makes me feel better. I've stopped watching & reading local news too.
As we get older, I feel we have seen it all and have less patience. Especially around social media.
Don't spread yourself thin on all the social networks & stay where you're happy.
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Seasons of Jasonreplied to Brian Davis last edited by [email protected]
@intrepidhero I dig your photobook idea!
On January 1 of this year, I started a gratitude jar with the objective of putting a note in there every Sunday.But it evolved into also being a "great memories and/or accomplishments" jar. My plan was to open it on New Year's Eve... but now I'm thinking I shouldn't wait that long haha.
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@jnv THAT is amazing advice my friend. I'll put some of that into action today.
This also reminds me I need to create more than I consume...
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@killyourfm How is your garden? Maybe continue through winter?
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@killyourfm for those of us who are a little older, I feel like we remember when the internet was a fun and random space filled with hope and new adventures. Some of that might still exist, but it’s harder to find. SEO optimized content and big companies have made the internet a shell of its former self.
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@killyourfm year ends are increasingly difficult as I age.
I'll be enthusiastic in the summer, I will find things a bit more difficult in fall.
And I will want to spend my whole winter away from computers, next to the fireplace with a warm cocoa and books. Or go outside, have a walk and enjoy the few hours of sunlight I can get.
Winters are cold, dark, and they suck the joy out of us. Working in winter is an ordeal.
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@thed34n @killyourfm 100% agree. Before big tech became big tech the interweb was awesome. Then greed took over.
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Seasons of Jasonreplied to Kilroy_Was_Here last edited by
@kilroy_was_here "I've been reminded of mortality a lot in the past year, I don't want to die having lived in front of a screen."
This hits me like a hurricane of bricks.
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@thibaultamartin I can certainly relate to this! In my case, I just want to be outside but I'm not equipped for the winter -- or am just too inexperienced to do serious winter backpacking/hiking on a regular basis. (I suppose the equipment side of that is relatively straightforward to solve, though... just expensive!)
The whole fireplace + books (or comics) is a comfortable place to exist though.
Your comment also makes me realize that going to sleep AND waking up in the dark isn't awesome.
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Seasons of Jasonreplied to Seasons of Jason last edited by
This entire thread and all the thoughtful insights are exactly why I love this place.
You are people with depth, character, and realness. Thanks for being brave enough to share your own personal struggles and for being awesome.
