To just not 'get' instagram?

[Herbarium]

Or any personalised social media.

I know, I will be a minority, as the success of SM pretty much proves that , but to be really honest, I just generally don't get it.

What I want to know is why people consume it so much. Why would some random individual's life with niche hobby or kids or pets or artwork make for such persistent nose to screen viewing, as opposed to real life, lived experience, where we touch, see, feel the elements, etc?

I would probably answer - instant gratification for the creator, and an easily accessible global content for the consumer.

It's certainly a money maker for the 'content creators'. One niche hobby woman (not famous, just gives 100% of her private life to insta) with 30K followers regularly gets given expensive cars, holidays, and so on. It is certainly interesting in a social context in that it has shifted, dramatically, the way many young people perceive 'work'.

But the reason for my AIBU is that I can't understand the endless worship in the comments, the mindless emoji's and the overall lack of any substance. I appreciate the corporate element (insta/fb) just wants people to move quickly, not linger, hit likes and SEE ADS! I get this, but I don't get why people bother leaving a smiley emoji for a person with so many followers it is meaningless.
Is it devaluing meaning? I just don't know.

I only go on there for abstract art, but I do see stuff, stuff gets pushed in front of me, lol. I must be anti social perhaps because unless I have something to ask or say I don't bother liking or commenting. My life gets in the way.

The world just seems berserk to me lately, not just war, debased political figures, social and political division, but this seemingly endless mediocrity online reflecting us, too.
I guess I am menopausal and feeling a bit low, or possibly wouldn't give it much thought. But everything looks less and less authentic and nobody seems interested in depth or true communities of user support - just hit and run populism.

It's AIBU so i wont apologise for wall of text but hey, have at me!

I agree that not everyone is competing, It was a generalisation, and I think SM can affect people that way. Many true and authentic people are doing that 'same old' shite but I can see that they are genuine and I respect that.

I guess my OP, giving it some thought, is more about how SM affects us than a judgement of people in general. It's all a bit scripted and obvious now.

As for cynical? I don't know. There's often a fine line between cynicism and seeing what is there.

I love seeing people's work, passions, etc, and can see why it is attractive in many ways, but the way it actually works and alters people's behaviour is weird.

I'm a creative so Instagram is very good for business.

I dont even see the stuff you've mentioned

You see it because thats what you view so Instagram algorithms/suggestions will reflect that

But even if someone were on Insta just to pass time and they enjoy it, I really don't see what the problem is tbh. Different folks different strokes.

I don't get it either... Twitter even less so

It’s funny, OP, for someone who claims not to get Instagram you sure spend a lot of time thinking about it! It seems you know all about how to engage with it and how other people use it too. Do you just not understand how other people have different interests than you do? My best friend is very into photography and I have other friends who love sport, politics, science… I don’t “get” those things but I’m old enough to “get” that everyone is different. I can’t comment on Instagram specifically as I’m not on it but you sound awfully judgy and invested in how other people spend their time.

You see it because thats what you view so Instagram algorithms/suggestions will reflect that

er, no.

It’s funny, OP, for someone who claims not to get Instagram you sure spend a lot of time thinking about it

You dont know how often i think about it, seeing as i have only mentioned it here.
I only have to see it once per month to notice shit.
But, yeh.

The lack of depth to Instagram irritates me, so I occasionally use it, then turn away. I need more information. I enjoy art-based sites too, but I also like reading about techniques and theory, and Instagram doesn't really offer that kind of experience. It's a pretty face with little behind it. Interestingly, I find Pinterest much the same: just curated image after image (some with expired links behind them). I need more than that.

You see it because thats what you view so Instagram algorithms/suggestions will reflect that

er, no

er, yes.

Its who you follow. Your algorithms & suggestions also reflect that.

Apart from creative I've just joined a cycling group so I follow cycling and thats what I tend to see alongside arts. Thats how Instagram works. It doesn't somehow work differently specifically for you.

You search for fraff you'll find it and be served it. Doesnt mean everyone else does the same thing.

Even if they did, its their time to invest.

Why not just watch cat videos?

You know that's what the majority of people are there for.

Or follow friends you already know, or people whose lives actually interest you, or look at topics you like?

For instance, cats... Or gardening, or art nouveau in Krakow, or crochet, or surfing....

@Herbarium, are you sure you're not competing here, with your disdain for the oh-so-predictable plebs and their middlebrow taste?

I treat it like a magazine which I flick through for visual inspiration on the things I'm interested in e.g. food, beauty, travel, fashion, interior design. I tend to follow businesses/official sites rather than people. I'm not at all motivated to comment or read other peoples' comments.

It's actually a nice break from the beserkness of the world! But I need to be in the mood for it.

Now you've mentioned menopause it'll probably spam you with ads for herbal remedies 😆

Ah, if you're only using it 'once a month' you are probably getting the generic experience. You kind of need to engage with it more to really 'get it'. (ha, I know, your worst nightmare!)

So for example, this morning on my feed I saw that last night at Christies NY, Warhol's sage Marilyn achieved a record breaking 195m. I go to a lot of art auctions (didn't buy that though!) so thats something I like to read about. There is also a video of the sale. I guess I might have found it on BBC news but it's just another way of getting info.

Then I read there's a case of monkeypox at St Thomas' Hospital. Interesting as that's my local hospital - plus a newsworthy item in a pandemic. I read more by clicking on Time Out's link.

Finally, I saw there's an exciting exhibition opening tomorrow and the artists will be there, so I'll go along and meet them which will be enjoyable and enriching.

My point is, with a 'community' as huge as instagram there is going to be the lowest common denominator - and there will be some gems. You just have to find your gems. If you can be bothered! But you may be a person who doesn't like getting info from a screen, in which case, that's ok, but lots of people do.

Oh, and Katy Hessel who I mentioned has a book coming out called The Story of Art without Men, which I am very much looking forward to putting my nose to page to in the summer. (No word on whether she is planning a vibrator range, but I'm sure I'll hear it on insta if so...)

Yeah, even some people tend to buy Instagram Followers and although, spending on Instagram marketing is a different thing.

I follow any actors/musicians etc that I deem hot so its a nice eye candy scroll for me.

You could combine that with vibrator time

I have Instagram only. I joined because a work colleague was going on a round the world trip, and wanted to follow her.
I now follow some accounts of people or groups that interest me.
I have posted 4 photos myself in 4 years.

......and yet here you are on Mumsnet ,engaging with strangers you will never even meet about SM,something you say you have no interest in!

I love it.
I love fashion and most of my friends aren't into it. I get to connect and be inspired by designers.

I also get interior Design ideas and meal ideas. I love the creativity.

I find instagram a really good place to learn about other's experiences, and also an uplifting place if you follow the right accounts. I follow people talking about race, disability, human rights, gender, body positivity (amongst other accounts that are more lighthearted).

I agree with this. It's opened my eyes, in a good way. I guess it depends on who you follow. I just lurk for inspiration and information on subjects I'm interested in. It is what you make it ime.

err, yes.
That's not an opinion, it's fact, it is how Instagram and other SM works, those algorithms are built into the code. If you are only on there once a month and don't engage by liking, following, tagging, etc. then it will be limited in what it shows you to the most popular posts in the more popular categories to try and find out what you like.

I don't really understand the point you're trying to make to be honest. You suggest all the content is somehow the same despite the fact you can get 1000s of niche to popular interests. Then you say it's not supportive or community focussed but when someone replies saying they've found the opposite you disagree - despite admitting you haven't tried to engage with it, so how would you know?

If your overall point is a lot of people seem to watch other people doing things, rather than doing things and living their own lives themselves, then fair enough, although that's a general SM thing rather than an Instagram specific thing. But if it's 'this content and format doesn't please ME so it must be rubbish,' then that's a bit self centred.

It's like going into the entrance of a huge bookshop and saying "Oh look at all this populist fiction how utterly mediocre this bookshop is not for me at all," and ignoring the shop assistants going "But literary fiction is round the corner," "Historical non fiction is upstairs!" "Arts and crafts on the third floor!"
"Nope I've been in for two seconds and it's not for me, and actually anyone who does shop here is only interested in populist fiction because that's all I've seen."

I'm 35, I use it to contact make up artists and check their work before I use them for a wedding. I use it to check out weaning groups so I can get recipe ideas. I had previously used books and still do. I use it to look up companies that do handmade baby clothes. I don't post anything on my own page and have no desire to. I have Facebook to share with friends but use that sporadically.

I follow comedians and memes they I find funny. I enjoy it it's like twitter but longer posts. I don't get Snapchat tho

I do love Instagram.
I mainly like to get ideas for days out or activities that my DD would like, it’s nice to get ideas from people with children of a similar age. I’ve found some really good places to visit that I probably wouldn’t of found otherwise.
Also if there’s somewhere I’m thinking about going I’ll have a look at peoples photos first to see if it looks good/ what it’s actually like.
I also like to see home decor/ outfits for inspiration

I have found a fantastic selection of pages that relate to old movies, the costumes of the day, props used in many different films etc.
I could browse for hours at these pages only. There’s so much I have learned and so many old movies I hadn’t seen.
im not “in the industry” I simply have very fond memories of watching musicals when I was growing up and being fascinated at the glamour and beauty of them. To find so many others from all walks of life has been great fun!

I don’t follow influencers and I don’t get the appeal of a lot of stuff on there so if it pops up I skip past.
looking at beautiful costume design from years ago is a nice way to pass a few mins 🤷🏻‍♀️