Adopting Instagram

Recently, I reflected on my relationship with new technology changing societal norms. Apps like Tinder, Snap Chat, and Tik Tok are changing how we interact and behave. To not use these apps means to get left behind.

Instagram is one of these apps. I’m well aware of the benefits and drawbacks of Instagram and for awhile I thought that the drawbacks outweighed the benefits. Now, my perspective is shifting. Rather than resist it, I’ll be open instead. This week I adopted Instagram and I’ll experiment with it. If I enjoy the experience and it benefits me, I’ll keep it, if not I’ll delete it.

Here are a few first impressions so far:

• Catching up with old and new friends. Unlike Facebook, many of my friends are active on Instagram whether it be posting photos and stories or engaging with content. Especially, for many of my old friends that I lost touch with. It’s great to see waht they’re up to now and to keep in touch through this app.
• The app itself is beautiful. From a Product Management perspective, this app is best in class. Visually appealing, pleasant to use, and engaging.
• Addicting. Instagram’s incentive is to get us to spend as much time on their app and they do a damn good job. This app is like crack. I can feel the dopamine hits when I get a notifcation or I’m scrolling my feed. I’ll put app limits on Instagram to restrict my usage.
• Status games. One of my biggest knocks on Instagram is that it seems like a big status game. Who has the most followers? Who has the best follower/following ratio? Who has the best photos? The motivation to play status games is primal but it’s a zero-sum game with stupid prizes. This is one game I don’t want to play.