One of the most frequent comments I see under videos on Instagram that feature radical political opinions, crazy outfits, or unconventional lifestyles, is, “Why is this even on my FYP?”
Commenters question why they should even have to watch videos that don’t align with their tastes, demanding why algorithms haven’t figured out not to show them certain kinds of content. Any interaction with other perspectives is an inconvenience.
From a global perspective, this seems ridiculous. Over 500 million people from around the world use Instagram on a daily basis, all with varying experiences and opinions — of course you’re bound to encounter content outside of your bubble.
However, when you look at the facts, this aversion to videos from perceived “outsiders” actually makes a lot of sense.
Your Instagram feed has you figured out. Even if you don’t like, repost, share, or comment, algorithms observe your interaction down to how many seconds you stare at the screen. The more you watch, the more specialized the content you’re shown becomes, and the more your perception of reality is skewed.
When we refuse to even entertain other cultures, belief systems, and opinions, curation crosses a line. You can moderate your own life in a way that matches your interests and lifestyle: books, clothes, movies, friends, food, hobbies, politics, and even the way you talk. But you cannot curate the world into alignment with your aesthetic.
These media bubbles are a large factor in the rapid increase of political polarization in America, especially among young people. Teenagers in the United States averaged 4.8 hours on social media in 2023, and this prolonged interaction only shrinks the range of perspectives apps like Instagram will show you. Once it figures out your opinions and taste, why would it change?
A poll by Pew Research Center in 2022 showed that 63% of Democrats and 72% of Republicans viewed the opposing party as more immoral than other Americans, with over 50% of both parties seeing the other as more unintelligent than other Americans.
Political polarization has only increased since then, with each side demonizing the other until all interaction devolves into personal jabs, with any real attempt at understanding lost.
If you’ve ever watched a Jubilee debate, you probably know what I mean.
Through the careful curation of everything from the people we talk to, to the videos we watch, anything outside of our own bubble seems more and more extreme.
You could be walking past hundreds of people with a completely different perception of the world than you, just on your way to gym class.
Be radical, be moderate, be basic, be weird — our true value comes from our ability to value others. Stagnation is never healthy, no matter how assured you are in your own beliefs. When you walk into a room already fully confident that none of the people around you are worthy of changing your mind, you push yourself farther into your own bubble.
It’s okay to enjoy spaces that reflect your own style and opinions. What’s dangerous is when you refuse to even look those who are different from you in the eye.
Get off your phone, go outside, and realize that a world of interesting people exists beyond your curated feed.
Each opinion represented in The Panther Press is the view and voice of the writer. Opinions, as the selection and curation of content by the editors, do not represent the views of the entire Panther Press staff, the adviser, the school, or the administration.
