I removed Instagram from my phone. The algorithms took a noticeable and unwelcome turn after the change of administrations in the US. I don’t trust that I’m not being propagandized to. I also don’t want to give the “culturally neutered” Meta any more of my attention. I’d rather spend that most precious of currencies on activities I believe in and that have meaning to me.

I made the decision Friday after I’d taken a photo of our cat, Mrs. Tubbles, with her tongue sticking out. Normally I would post photos like that on Instagram. But I just couldn’t bring myself to post it there. I have a blog right here. So I published Tubbles’ blep here instead.

When I open my phone now, and out of habit go to scroll Instagram, I instead open the Reader on WordPress.com and see what my friends are writing about on their blogs. I open Tumblr, a positive social media platform that celebrates artistic expression, and I marvel at the creativity there.

And then I put my phone down and pick up a pen, or my book, or look out the window, or talk to a friend, or walk out the door and into the world.