where people are afraid to connect in a genuine way for fear of rejection. but also it serves as a more socially acceptable outlet for the impulse to engage in cruelty (especially for women). People often justify this behavior with the rationalization that the target of their ire is morally impure or has committed wrongs against others, or that the āsnarkersā are doing a public service as somebody has to knock these people down a peg. I also think people want to be critics but donāt understand the true value of criticism. I do sense a changing tide so hereās hoping
May 8, 2024
Related Recs
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Conscious or subconscious, to:
1. Use your wit/intelligence/insight
2. Communicate your values/conviction
3. Engage in collective activity/be in an in-group
4. Vent!
None of these in the appropriate degree or circumstance are bad things. But, unfortunately snark also is counterproductive to having vulnerable conversations with people. And therein lies the rub: most people do really want that, but because diving in to the lionās den with your fuzzy lambswool on is a wild move, itās easier to put on your lion-skin and go snark mode. People would likely be more fulfilled participating in spaces where they can be sincere and mutually respectful. But often they either donāt know where to look, or theyāre entrenched with the band-aid validation theyāre getting from their snark zones.
May 8, 2024
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it feels like across the board everyones worst fear at the moment is being seen as naĆÆve...i guess snark is a way of insulating yourself from this
May 9, 2024
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iām sort of anti-cancel culture (not in the obnoxious right wing way, in the āmaybe we should try talking to people first if they arenāt acting in bad faithā way) and at the same time idk i actually donāt think everything should be enjoyed without critique. itās actually not bad to offer legitimate concerns or critiques of things people enjoy if the thing is problematic or harmful. sometimes things other people think are fun or funny are actually kinda mean or fucked up and we donāt have to pretend thatās ok
Oct 5, 2024
Top Recs from @taterhole
My dad teases me about how when I was a little kid, my favorite thing to do when I was on the landline phone with somebodyābe it a relative or one of my best friendsāwas to breathlessly describe the things that were in my bedroom so that they could have a mental picture of everything I loved and chose to surround myself with, and where I sat at that moment in time. Perfectly Imperfect reminds me of that so thanks for always listening and for sharing with me too š
Feb 23, 2025
Schedule sent my resignation email for the morning, effective immediately ā
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Feb 27, 2025
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Iāve been thinking about how much of social media is centered around curating our self-image. When selfies first became popular, they were dismissed as vain and vapidāa critique often rooted in misogynyābut now, the way we craft our online selves feels more like creating monuments.
We try to signal our individuality, hoping to be seen and understood, but ironically, I think this widens the gap between how others perceive us and who we really are. Instead of fostering connection, it can invite projection and misinterpretationāpreconceived notions, prefab labels, and stereotypes. Worse, individuality has become branded and commodified, reducing our identities to products for others to consume.
On most platforms, validation often comes from how well you can curate and present your imageāselfies, aesthetic branding, and lifestyle content tend to dominate. High engagement is tied to visibility, not necessarily depth or substance. But I think spaces like PI.FYI show that thereās another way: where connection is built on shared ideas, tastes, and interests rather than surface-level content. Itās refreshing to be part of a community that values thoughts over optics.
By sharing so few images of myself, Iāve found that it gives others room to focus on my ideas and voice. When I do share an image, it feels intentionalāsomething that contributes to the story I want to tell rather than defining it. Sharing less allows me to express who I am beyond appearance.
For women, especially, sharing less can be a radical act in a world where the default is to objectify ourselves. It resists the pressure to center appearance, focusing instead on what truly matters: our thoughts, voices, and authenticity. Iāve posted a handful of pictures of myself in 2,500 posts because I care more about showing who I am than how I look.
In trying to be seen, are we making it harder for others to truly know us? Itās a question worth considering.
Dec 27, 2024