Social Media’s Societal Impact: By 1985’s Norms We’ve Lost Our Minds

Sadly, we've allowed ourselves to be rewired to value 'the look of a life' over 'the substance of life';

Nick Kossovan ——Bio and Archives--April 10, 2026

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I've spent more time than I care to admit contemplating how our personal and professional lives have been transformed by digital technology. Often, I find myself staring at my smartphone as if I were looking through the 'looking glass,' wondering how my 1985 self, when my wardrobe was Miami Vice influenced, I was listening to Phil Collins, Madonna, Dire Straits, and Bruce Springsteen, dared to eat sushi, and was strategically bar hopping on Friday nights, would make of this glass-and-metal slab, the size of a chocolate bar, that's always with me.

In 1985, I was connected to the world by being in it, not by scrolling through it.

If I had the chance to tell 1985-Nick what 2026 would look like, give young me a 'heads up', I imagine 1985-Nick would respond:

1985-Nick would be right. If someone in 1985 had told me that we'd be carrying a supercomputer in our pocket, which we'd use to seek attention or argue with strangers about 'who's right' or 'who's morally superior' and look at........

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