After reading Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams, I reflect on leaving Meta's ecosystem. I deleted Facebook in 2018, Instagram and WhatsApp in 2025. The platforms became low-value spaces filled with distant acquaintances, ads, and toxic content.

Meta's involvement in Brexit, Trump, Myanmar, and hate speech made Instagram untenable. WhatsApp was redundant since close friends could be reached via SMS or iMessage. I haven't missed these platforms.

Concerns about missing memes or staying updated proved unfounded. I now spend less time on low-value content and more on meaningful activities. In-person friendships have improved.

The internet's promise of connection has been corrupted by exploitative tech culture. Facebook's origins were shallow, built on rating Harvard classmates' attractiveness. The 'move fast and break things' mentality has enabled fraud, racism, grooming, and manipulation.

AI slop continues this trend.