The social milieu has a lot to answer for. Since its inception it's bred paranoia, sucked a huge amount of our time and indoctrinated us to think that what appears in our feed is worthy of chipping at our esteem. And now the latest algorithmic intrusion is going to max out all of the above.
Back in the primitive days of MySpace- my first foray into social media, I remember wracking my brain for some very clever, epitaph style bio: "exuberant, funny and sensitive" filled the "about me" section. As if it was an official declaration of selfhood that others would admire.
It was such an exciting and new way to say Hi! to friends; a way to jazz up the time between homework and bedtime where you'd lather each other's profiles with gushing affection. During MySpace infancy, I remember waking up with shuddering anticipation one morning: "I HAVE to see what people have written."
Fast forward to Facebook and this bogus validation is worryingly, a dependable drug. And now the way our news feed will be presented to us will produce even more systematic jealousy than it already achieves.
I've never been one to care about what others think- especially at face value. But I have fought with feelings of what others might think of what I'm doing with my life.
When you get onto Facebook, the pop up feeds are tailored to the timeliness of what your friends are talking about. It is usually awash with the most sinfully boring trivia; bear with:
"X Factor on, feet up with a cuppa and some biccies....don't mind if I do!"
"Having a really bad day