Join Me for No Socials November

Read Articleadded Nov 3, 2025
Join Me for No Socials November

The author is taking a break from social media for No Socials November and invites readers to try it too by logging out and deleting apps. It’s framed as a low-commitment experiment with no pressure to stay off afterward. As an alternative, they suggest blogging via Pika (with a discount code) and welcome emails and blog links.

Key Points

  • The author is committing to a month off social media for No Socials November as part of a broader move away from social platforms.
  • They’ve already logged out of personal accounts and disabled algorithmic recommendations (e.g., YouTube) and suggest readers do the same by logging out and deleting apps.
  • This is a low-pressure experiment: after November, people can return to social media as before, modify their usage, or stay off.
  • Blogging is suggested as an alternative, with a recommendation to use Pika and a NOSOCIALSNOVEMBER coupon for 15% off the first year.
  • Readers are invited to email thoughts and share their blogs so the author can follow their writing.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment of the Hacker News discussion is strongly aligned with the article's premise that algorithm-driven social media is problematic and has negative impacts on individuals and society. There is widespread agreement on the detrimental effects of these platforms on mental well-being, perception of reality, and the blurring of online/offline life. However, the discussion is nuanced, with significant debate over the definition of 'social media' itself and a strong emphasis on finding personalized, permanent solutions and alternative platforms rather than just temporary breaks. So, while largely agreeing with the article's concerns, HN provides a deeper, more analytical exploration of the problem and its solutions.

In Agreement

  • Social media creates a 'simulacrum of the world' that distorts tangible reality and pollutes minds with 'trash outrage content,' which has increasingly seeped into real-life conversations.
  • The 'Internet World' has inverted in importance with the 'Offline World,' making online happenings the primary focus of social, cultural, and political significance.
  • Algorithm-driven feeds and engagement-based UIs are inherently harmful and addictive, acting like an 'alien facehugger for your mind' that can lead to mental distress.
  • Social media triggers intense envy, FOMO (fear of missing out), and feelings of inadequacy due to the constant display of curated 'lifestyle porn' and others' perceived successes.
  • Permanent and intentional strategies, such as using browser extensions to remove addictive elements (shorts, recommendations), diverting notifications to email, and batch processing content, are effective for managing social media intake.
  • Non-corporate, non-gamified alternatives like the Fediverse (Mastodon, Lemmy) offer a healthier 'breath of fresh air' by removing the profit motive and engagement-driven anger that characterize mainstream platforms.
  • Even platforms not traditionally considered 'social media' can provide dopamine hits and be addictive, highlighting the pervasive nature of engagement mechanisms.

Opposed

  • A temporary 'No Socials November' may not address the root problem of addictive behavior; instead, permanent, intentional, and well-thought-out solutions for more mindful usage are encouraged.
  • The definition of 'social media' is subjective and debatable, with many arguing that platforms like Hacker News and YouTube (when used for passive consumption) are more akin to forums, link aggregators, or broadcasting platforms, rather than traditional social media like Facebook or Twitter.
  • Some users can manage social media effectively, especially developers who implement their own technical solutions (e.g., user scripts, ad blockers) to prevent doomscrolling without completely disconnecting from platforms they find valuable.
  • Not all social media is equally harmful; the problem lies more with 'engagement-optimized' platforms that prioritize algorithmic pushes and individual profiles over topic-based discussions.
  • The 'anti-politics' stance of some platforms (like HN) can be a double-edged sword, reducing vitriol but potentially leading to 'de facto support for a dominant ideology' and censorship of dissenting views.
Join Me for No Socials November