When Algorithms Shape Our Reality
Anxiety leaves its imprint not only in the body but also in how we experience the digital world. For many, offline triggers push them online in search of belonging. But instead of connection, they meet a system designed for engagement, not care.
At first, algorithms know nothing. In the “cold start,” content is random and irrelevant. Soon, patterns emerge—dopamine-rich posts, flawless selfies, manufactured lifestyles without disclaimers. The algorithm learns quickly: novelty, outrage, comparison. Each interaction shapes what comes next.
What it does not understand is pain. Every dopamine high is followed by depletion. Each comparison deepens loneliness. Over time, the same algorithm that promised connection leaves users more anxious, more isolated, and more fragile. This is not malfunction—it is design.
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