The Absurdity of Threads

Threads, in theory is a social network but in practice it is a popularity contest driven by algorithms. Normal people are competing against influencers to be seen. You are more likely to find a troll than someone interested in what you have to write, or what you think.

More often than not you will see posts with 21,000 followers, a thousand comments, and several thousand likes. When a post does get 5000 views you will get very little conversation. You are more likely to be trolled than have a plesant conversation. That’s why we have social media fatigue. That is why Threads is a failure.

Several times, in the last few days, I have posted something, and the people that keep answering over and over, aren’t the ones laughing and having fun. They’re peacocks trying to show how great they are. They’re trolls getting into an argument for the sake of getting into a fight. When I detect that these people are trolls I block them.

Blocking only gets you so far. I am now tired of blocking, and finding friction. I am tempted to abandon Threads. The algorithms have made it a popularity contest so interacting with people on a human scale has become impossible.

I feel that I waste time on threads. It’s hard to find worthwhile conversations and you are more likely to be trolled, than have a pleasant conversation. We are using a site that is designed for influencers, rather than human beings. Yes, influencers are human beings but they are utilitarian in their use of social media. We are there to boost their ego, while our own need for validation is ignored.

ROI for Users

Threads has forgotten that we need a Return on Investment too. It shouldn’t reward utilitarian influencers. It should reward normal human beings looking to fight solitude and loneliness with social media. Not only is the ROI low, but the cost is mounting. Countless hours, and countless trolling. Trolling has a cost. If, rather than pleasant conversation, I find trolls, then I gain nothing from time spent on Threads. I think I might forget about it.

Threads is part of Facebook, and Facebook does not respect members of its community. We are users/addicts.