Here are this week’s Life Pro Tips.
1. Stop engaging with online content that makes you angry! The algorithms are keeping you angry, turning you into a zealot, and you aren’t actually informed!
We all get baited into clicking on content that makes us angry, or fuels “our side” of a contentious topic. The problem is that once you start engaging with “rage bait” content (politics, culture war, news, etc) the social media algorithms, which aren’t that bright yet, assume this is ALL you want to see.
Your feeds begin filling up with content that contributes to a few things. First your anger obviously. But secondly, you begin to get a sense that the issues/viewpoints you are seeing are MUCH more prevalent and you are more “correct” than they/you actually are. You start to fall into the trap of “echo chambers”, where you become insulated from opposing views, which makes you less informed and less able to intelligently develop your opinions.
For example: If you engage with content showing that your political side is correct to the point of all other points being wrong (or worse, evil), that is what the algorithms will drop into your home screens and suggestions. This causes the following:
- You begin to believe your opinions represent the majority
- You begin to see those who disagree with you as, at best stupid and uninformed, at worst inhuman monsters
- You begin to lose empathy for anyone who holds an opposing view
- You miss out on the opposing side, which may provide valuable context and information to truly understand the issue
Make a conscious decision to engage with the internet positively. Your feeds will begin believing this is what you want. You will be happier, your feeds will be uplifting instead of angry, and you will incentivize the algorithms to make you happy instead of rage-farming you. The people fighting back and forth online over the issues of the day are a small minority of people that represent nobody, nor are they representative of even their side.
2. When you learn someone is grieving a recent loss, just say “I’m sorry for your loss” and then shut up.
The chances of you adding even a tiny bit of significance to your well-intentioned condolence is approximately zero. However, the chance of saying something offensive or outright stupid is significantly higher. So just say you’re sorry for the loss and then shut up.
You’ll be tempted to say what a wonderful person/pet they were, or some other flattering observation. You’ll want to use words to expand on a point and wax poetic. Just don’t. You’ll end up waxing idiotic.
Remember the formula: Condolence + shut up== faux pas avoidance and social grace achieved.
3. Don’t forget to claim your $10k Student Loan forgiveness. The application is now open.
4. The best and quickest way to get the salary you deserve is job hop.
Note that this may not be applicable to every industry.
Don’t stay loyal to a company if they aren’t treating you well and compensating you adequately. Companies will only value you at your worth when you leave.
5. New parents, buy a red headlamp for nighttime diaper changes.
It keeps your hands free, your night vision stays sharp, and it doesn’t wake the baby.
