Your Feed Is Curated—But So Is Your Reality
Algorithms customise what you see. But your offline life is curated too—by routine, friend groups, neighbourhood, and habits. To see clearly, you need diversity in both feeds.
How Curation Warps Perception
- Echo chambers: Repeated takes feel like facts.
- Highlight reels: Others’ best moments vs. your behind-the-scenes.
- Availability bias: What’s visible feels more common or true.
Build a Healthier Media Diet
- Follow conflicting viewpoints you respect (quality over outrage).
- Use “Not Interested/Show Less” on rage-bait topics.
- Add slow media: books, long reads, lectures.
Expand Offline Reality Too
- Attend one event monthly outside your usual circle.
- Volunteer or join a hobby group for non-algorithmic friendships.
- Walk a new route; sit in a different café or library section.
Reality Checks You Can Do
- Ask: “What would disprove my current belief?”
- Track mood after scrolling vs. after reading or talking to a friend.
- Keep a private wins log to counter online comparison.
Final Thoughts
Your attention is an editor. Curate your inputs on purpose—online and off—and your reality will feel bigger, kinder, and more true.
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