I Stopped Reading the Discourse

I Stopped Reading the Discourse

In November I decided to stop following discourse cycles. Not social media entirely — I still post occasionally, still respond to messages. What I cut out was the daily rhythm of: thing happens, takes emerge, counter-takes emerge, meta-takes about the takes emerge, everyone moves on, repeat.

I didn't announce it. Announcing a social media detox is its own form of participation. I just stopped opening the apps in the morning. When I felt the pull — that itch to see what everyone is arguing about — I'd go make coffee or read whatever book was on the nightstand. The itch went away after about two weeks.