When we logged in for the first time online (Orkut, anyone?), it was to connect with friends, acquaintance, and new like-minded people. There was a thrill of connecting online because we could see what our friends were up to without directly speaking to them or meeting them.

Now think of present times. Chances are your Facebook feed is bombarded with sponsored ads and scripted content more than authentic updates from your friends. In Instagram, we are hooked to following cool influencers and meme accounts.

YouTube still hasn’t compromised their content but it definitely is super annoying to sit through multiple ads embedded in one single video. I’m personally sad about this one.

There is too much (too much!) going on. From incredible stuff to silly stuff, we see them all. It’s only natural that our consumption pattern over the years have evolved so radically that any more ‘radical new way of life’ is simply not needed.

Refining our virtual experience

Like I said, we have no obligation to listen to brands popping up from all corners of your screen. It’s kind of satisfying to directly dismiss a popup as as soon as it hits the screen anyway.

Now, coming to what you can do about maintaining a rich virtual experience that accounts only the kind of content you wish to see, there are a number of things you can try. Here’s how I refine my virtual experience –
1. Limit Facebook to only checking for eventful updates from friends and family.
2. Spend time more on LinkedIn (connect with people who share their professional experiences and not just job opportunities)

3. Follow original content creators on Instagram (and friends, of course)
4. Subscribe to paid streaming apps such as iTunes, Netflix, etc.
5. Read books on Kindle, Google Books; articles on Medium.

6. Check out recipes and food vlogs on YouTube; sometimes leave music streaming in the background.

7. Use WhatsApp to connect and not to ‘forward’ unnecessary messages.