Social Medi…EURGHH!

Last weekend I had a weekend away from social media. Last weekend I wasn’t peering through a lens or scrolling through my phone, instead, I was swinging off a drop saw and a nail gun.

Anyway, come Monday evening, when the tools were packed away, I sat down with a well-earned beer to check in on what I’d missed on Instagram. Or should I say, what Instagram decided I’d missed?

I just want to be alone
Yeah, I don’t want a social life
Disconnect my telephone
Yeah, I don’t want a social life
Teenage Bottlerocket – Social Life

Opening up IG, the first post in my feed was from 4 hours ago. I thought to myself, “Wow! It’s been quiet on Instagram while I’ve been away?” only to see the previous post was 2 hours. So, I “need” to see a photo from 4 hours ago before I see one from 2 hours ago do I? But I’ve been away all weekend. Just catch me up on what I’ve missed. When I missed it. Not what you think I might’ve missed!

Seeing folks’ photos featured on toy and LEGO photography groups, after I’d seen their origin post. Or was it before? I’m confused.

Yet, when I clicked through to users’ profile pages, to see if I’d missed something that IG thought I didn’t need to see, there were all their posts, in the order they’d posted them? So why Instagram, do you display individual’s profiles in chronological order, yet my feed is all over the shop?

phonbies

phonbies

There’s a real cool club on the other side of town
Where the real cool kids go to sit around
And talk bad about the other kids
Yeah it’s a real cool club, and you’re not part of it
Screeching Weasel – Cool Kids

What’s next IG? I know you suggest photos and feeds to me, which is great; I’ve actually discovered some amazing LEGO photographers through your suggestions that I now follow. But why stop at suggesting? You seem to think you know what order I need to see photos in, what about choosing the photos I see all together? Or whom I follow?

I’ve never really bought into the whole algorithm debate up until now. But spending some time away from Instagram has just reinforced in me what I’ve heard so many others complain about.

Three days away, and I don’t think I’m any wiser to what happened in those three days.

Although Instagram thinks I am?