Classic Fishing Without Bait 452: Is Social Media Real Life?

About this Episode

Why are we revisiting this episode now?

As students head back to school, conversations around social media, young people, screen time, online identity, and mental health are once again dominating the news. Recent legal action involving major social media platforms has also renewed questions about how these spaces are designed and how they affect the people using them.

That makes this conversation from Fishing Without Bait Episode 452, originally released January 14, 2025, feel particularly timely.

Jim Ellermeyer is joined by Chris Maverick, professor of digital narrative interactive design at the University of Pittsburgh and a former professional wrestler, for a fascinating discussion about storytelling, performance, identity, escapism, and mindfulness.

Chris draws a connection between professional wrestling and social media: both involve creating a version of yourself for an audience.

The difference is that we usually understand that a professional wrestler is playing a character. On social media, those lines aren't always as clear.

We see someone's vacations, accomplishments, relationships, perfect photos, opinions, and carefully selected moments—but rarely see the arguments, frustrations, insecurities, bills, bad days, or ordinary moments happening outside the frame.

When we compare our complete lives to someone else's edited presentation, we create expectations that reality can never satisfy.

Jim and Chris explore:

• Why social media should be understood partly as a performance medium
• The difference between a person's online identity and everyday reality
• How comparison can distort our expectations of our own lives
• Why professional wrestling offers an interesting lesson about personas and storytelling
• The role of escapism and entertainment
• How mindfulness helps us separate what is real from what is being presented to us
• Why even successful relationships contain arguments, frustrations, and ordinary problems
• The importance of paying attention to the life directly in front of us

The technology continues to change, but the central Fishing Without Bait question remains the same:

What do you know for sure, and what is actually right in front of you?

Originally released January 14, 2025.

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