Musings of Skynet: The Real Gateway Drugs

[IDELB2006]

I am sorry it has been a negative for you replying to others but maybe choosing the topic and the member is the key to a more positive reply and/or lead in to discussion.

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"Yes, receiving likes or thumbs-up online triggers a dopamine rush by activating the brain’s reward system, specifically regions like the ventral striatum and nucleus accumbens.  This release of dopamine is the same chemical response associated with pleasurable activities such as eating delicious food, winning money, or even consuming addictive substances. 
The psychological impact is driven by several key factors:

• Anticipation and Uncertainty: The brain is often more excited by the anticipation of likes than the likes themselves. The unpredictable nature of social feedback creates a variable reward schedule similar to gambling or slot machines, compelling users to check notifications repeatedly. 
  
• Social Validation: Because humans are wired to seek acceptance, a "like" is interpreted as social approval, activating the medial prefrontal cortex.  Conversely, receiving fewer likes than expected can trigger the anterior cingulate cortex, causing social pain that mirrors physical pain. 
  
• Dopamine Deficit: Heavy reliance on these digital hits can raise the brain's reward threshold, leading to a dopamine deficit when not using social media.  This state can result in anxiety, depression, and compulsive scrolling as the brain seeks to restore homeostasis." (LLM)
  

https://neurosciencewellness.substack.co...cial-media

"“It’s not addictive by accident, it’s addictive by design,” he said. 
“How much have you paid for your Facebook or Instagram or TikTok account in the last month? Nothing. But, how are they worth a trillion dollars?” Harris continued. “They don’t sell your data, they sell the capacity to influence and manipulate your thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors through advertising. So long as we’re the product and not the customer, their business model is making sure that we use it as frequently and for as long and as often as possible.”"

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Thank you DI TPTB for not including advertisements here.

For me the quote button only works occasionally. Not sure why, but if I am trying to quote a post closer to the top of a page, it is less likely to work. The like button worked every time.

That is why so many of my posts are  created @username. I believe it still  notifies the other person that they are being replied to. It seems to work, but it is still a hassle.

Normally I would use the "like" button if I am reading replies to a topic that occurred earlier in the day, rather than contributing to a conversation that has been over for hours. I never noticed any dopamine rush from liking a post, or a lack of dopamine during the times that like buttons are not available.

[quintessentone]

For me the quote button only works occasionally. Not sure why, but if I am trying to quote a post closer to the top of a page, it is less likely to work. The like button worked every time.

That is why so many of my posts are  created @username. I believe it still  notifies the other person that they are being replied to. It seems to work, but it is still a hassle.

Normally I would use the "like" button if I am reading replies to a topic that occurred earlier in the day, rather than contributing to a conversation that has been over for hours. I never noticed any dopamine rush from liking a post, or a lack of dopamine during the times that like buttons are not available.

The dopamine rush would come from receiving likes, not so much giving them.

I wonder if some of your issues are due to not cleaning your registry, cookies, etc.?

[IDELB2006]

The dopamine rush would come from receiving likes, not so much giving them.

I wonder if some of your issues are due to not cleaning your registry, cookies, etc.?

I will try and clean that up, it can be frustrating.

[quintessentone]

Finally, cortisol—the stress hormone—acts as the ultimate enforcer of herd behavior. Human beings find social isolation physically painful; the threat of being cast out of a group triggers a massive cortisol spike, putting the body into a state of "fight or flight." To lower this stress, individuals will mirror the behavior of the clique, even if that behavior is toxic. The fear of becoming the target of the bully is often greater than the moral qualm of participating in the bullying. People choose the "herd" not always because they agree with it, but because the cortisol cost of standing alone is too high to bear.

* AI composed essay

I've been learning about cortisol and how to lower it or rather control cortisol levels and here is what I have learned so far.

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"The recommendation to avoid eating or drinking (except water) for the first 90 minutes after waking is primarily aimed at optimizing caffeine timing and aligning with the natural cortisol awakening response, rather than directly lowering cortisol levels. 

• Caffeine Avoidance: Experts suggest waiting 60–90 minutes after waking before consuming coffee because cortisol levels naturally peak shortly after waking; drinking caffeine during this peak can exacerbate the spike and lead to an afternoon crash. 
  
• Natural Rhythm: The body naturally secretes cortisol to help you wake up and feel alert; this is a healthy physiological process, so the goal is often to stabilize or time cortisol rather than simply lower it. 
  
• Exceptions: While delaying caffeine is widely recommended, eating breakfast within an hour of waking is also suggested by some sources to signal safety to the nervous system and prevent prolonged cortisol elevation caused by skipping meals. 
  
• Morning Light: Getting direct sunlight within 20–30 minutes of waking is cited as the most powerful way to anchor your circadian rhythm and regulate cortisol, making the timing of food and caffeine secondary to light exposure." (LLM)
  

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Basically, just chill and fast for the first hour after waking to stabilize cortisol levels, which I am practicing most days. Do I feel any different...yes I do.