How Millennials and Social Software Contribute to the Burnout Generation

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Sep 09, 2023
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How Millennials and Social Software Contribute to the Burnout Generation
In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, millennials have become known as the burnout generation. Burnout is characterized by a constant feeling of exhaustion and the inability to find a sense of completion. Psychoanalyst Josh Cohen explains that burnout occurs when we have exhausted all our internal resources but still feel compelled to push forward. This compulsion is often reinforced by societal pressures, especially in the age of social media.
Millennials have grown up in an environment where success is closely tied to work and achieving a fulfilling personal life. The need to constantly showcase our lives on social media can lead to a sense of dissatisfaction when we don't feel the expected level of fulfillment. We convince ourselves that we are feeling it by illustrating it to others, even if it means pushing ourselves to the brink of burnout. This desire to constantly prove ourselves and meet societal expectations can be traced back to our upbringing.
The millennial rearing project places a heavy emphasis on finding a job that reflects well on our parents and impresses our peers. We are told that the end goal of all the childhood optimization is to find work that we are passionate about. This constant need for validation and the fear of not meeting expectations can lead to burnout.
Additionally, our society has become focused on risk management, especially when it comes to raising children. We are constantly supervised and guided, which can leave us feeling scared and unequipped to handle the challenges of life. This fear and anxiety follow us into adulthood and contribute to the burnout we experience.
The rise of social software and its impact on communities also plays a role in the burnout generation. The Evaporative Cooling effect, as described by Bumblebee Labs Blog, explains how the most high-value contributors in a community are often the first to leave when the overall quality of the community drops. This can lead to a gradual decline in the average quality of the group until only those who are unskilled and unaware of it remain.
Openness in communities can also contribute to the Evaporative Cooling effect. When anyone can join a community, it is often those who are below the average quality who have the most to gain. If not contained, these members can harm the health of the community over time. Social Gating, or allowing participants to self-select out of the group, can help shift the power dynamic and prevent the Evaporative Cooling effect. However, as communities grow, these social mechanisms can break down, leading to further decline.
Facebook has been successful in maintaining quality while scaling because each user only sees their own experience. This allows users to have control over their own interactions and ensures that the actions of others have minimal impact. The design of social spaces, whether they resemble a plaza or a warren, also plays a role in the dynamics of a community. Warrens, where each user is in control of their own experience, allow for near-perfect scalability without sacrificing quality.
The online world, with its emphasis on visibility and connectivity, tends to resemble plazas. In contrast, the real world is inherently warren-like, with smaller, interconnected spaces. Understanding the dynamics of social spaces and the potential for Evaporative Cooling can help communities thrive and prevent burnout.
In conclusion, the burnout generation is a result of societal pressures, the need for constant validation, and the impact of social software on communities. To combat burnout and create a healthier environment, here are three actionable pieces of advice:
- 1. Set boundaries: Recognize the importance of work-life balance and establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Prioritize self-care and make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
- 2. Challenge societal expectations: Question the idea that success is solely defined by work and external validation. Define your own definition of success and find fulfillment in your own terms.
- 3. Foster supportive communities: Surround yourself with people who understand and support your goals and aspirations. Seek out communities that value collaboration, growth, and well-being.
By taking these steps, we can work towards breaking free from the burnout cycle and creating a more sustainable and fulfilling life.
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