Introduction
The rise of social media has given every person a platform, turning everyday individuals into content creators. But the question we should be asking ourselves is: what is this content creating? Are we building insightful discussions, or have we spiraled into a vortex of delusion, narcissism, and mindless chatter? It seems increasingly clear that social media has become a reflection of collective delusion, where everyone wants to be seen, but few have anything of substance to say.
The Obsession with Self: Narcissism in Full Bloom
Studies indicate that social media promotes narcissistic tendencies, feeding an insatiable need for validation. According to a survey from Pew Research Center, around 74% of social media users say they use the platforms to stay connected with friends and family, but when you take a closer look, it’s the likes and shares that keep people coming back. The “look at me” culture has fueled an environment where self-centeredness is the currency, and each post, story, or reel is another bid for attention.
For instance, Instagram’s visual-first platform is packed with staged, picture-perfect lives that are often far removed from reality. People curate their online presence to an extent that reality becomes blurred. Fake luxury, rented jets for photo-ops, and heavily edited selfies create an image-first society, where people are more interested in portraying a persona than being authentic. Even worse, this breeds a competitive environment that thrives on comparison, envy, and superficiality, keeping people hooked on a relentless cycle of self-promotion.
“Social media stimulates the reward pathways in our brains similarly to addictive substances, leading people to crave likes and shares. This addiction erodes self-worth and pushes people to pursue attention in increasingly superficial or extreme ways.” – Dr. Anna Lembke, professor of psychiatry at Stanford University
The Rise of Debauchery as Entertainment
Social media has also desensitized us to things that, a decade or two ago, would have been shocking or taboo. Public meltdowns, gratuitous content, and a general “anything goes” mentality dominate platforms like TikTok, where outrageous acts and questionable behaviors are praised, emulated, and perpetuated. The “influencer” culture that glorifies excess has turned debauchery into an art form – but at what cost?
A recent survey from Common Sense Media reports that teens, in particular, are struggling to disconnect from social media because of the fear of missing out, leading to anxiety and self-esteem issues. Influencers showcasing “party lifestyles” and the over-sexualization of young individuals are just two examples of how our entertainment sources are devolving into mindless displays of excess. And we, as a culture, can’t seem to look away.
“Social media encourages constant comparison and often leaves users feeling inadequate. It’s one of the biggest drivers of anxiety and depression, especially among teens who struggle to distinguish online portrayal from reality.” Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist and researcher on social media’s effects (iGen)
Talking for the Sake of Talking – The Noise Over Substance
Platforms like Twitter (now X) and Facebook are a constant stream of opinions, most of which have little grounding in reality or evidence. Everyone has a platform, but not everyone has something meaningful to say. This has led to an epidemic of people talking just to be heard, often drowning out voices that actually offer insightful commentary. Look through any trending topic, and you’ll find countless hot takes that are just noise – people saying whatever they think will get them noticed, rather than offering anything of depth or importance.
The concept of the “echo chamber” is particularly telling here. Social media algorithms are designed to show us more of what we already believe, reinforcing ideas rather than challenging them. Instead of constructive dialogue, we see a back-and-forth of opinions that rarely adds up to anything productive. This contributes to an even deeper sense of delusion, as people become convinced that their perspective is the only one, while real issues are overlooked.
“Social media algorithms tend to feed users content that aligns with their current beliefs, which creates echo chambers and strengthens polarized views. This limits real, productive conversations and exacerbates societal divides.” – Dr. Ethan Kross, professor of psychology
Ignoring the Elephant in the Room – The Cost of Distraction
One of the greatest dangers of this delusional, self-centered environment is its capacity for distraction. As we’re bombarded with notifications, new posts, and incessant content, it becomes harder to focus on what truly matters. We’re so caught up in the social media frenzy that significant issues – political, environmental, and societal – are often swept under the rug.
Take, for example, the climate crisis. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, discussions about environmental issues get overshadowed by viral dances, gossip, and the latest celebrity drama. Issues that require collective action and attention are sidelined in favor of superficial distractions, making it hard to focus on the larger, more pressing challenges we face as a society.
“Social media thrives on constant engagement, which means that often, superficial content overshadows important issues. It’s harder to focus on significant challenges like mental health, climate change, or social justice when the platform is designed to distract and entertain rather than inform.” – Dr. David Greenfield, founder of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction
The Inevitable Conclusion
If we continue down this path, society risks becoming a caricature of itself – a reflection of shallow values where authenticity is scarce, and true connection is nearly impossible. To see the world clearly, we need to first recognize the illusions we create for ourselves. Social media has incredible potential to inform, inspire, and bring people together, but only if we’re willing to move past the noise, the narcissism, and the superficiality.
So, maybe it’s time we all take a step back, log off for a while, and re-evaluate the kind of world we’re building online. Because if we don’t, we’ll continue to be trapped in a delusion of our own making, losing sight of the issues that truly matter – until it’s too late.
Until Next Time…
I Am,
Ewing Redmond Samuels III
