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SOCIAL MEDIA EXPLOITATION – HOW IT WORKS

Social media platforms exploit and manipulate psychological mechanisms to drive excessive engagement, often at the expense of users' mental well-being. While Dr. Carole Lieberman has not specified a distinct list of mechanisms, her public stance as a "Media Psychiatrist" aligns with a recognized set of issues identified by mental health professionals, researchers, and tech critics. 

Key psychological mechanisms that make social media platforms harmful include:

The variable reward system

Social media platforms use an intermittent, variable reward schedule similar to that of a slot machine. 

The dopamine hit: Each notification, "like," or share is a potential reward that triggers a release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain's reward pathway.

The unpredictability factor: Since users don't know when they will receive a reward, they are incentivized to keep scrolling and checking for updates. The unpredictability of the reward makes the platforms highly addictive. 

Social comparison and curated reality

Social media platforms present a distorted view of others' lives, leading to a constant and often unhealthy process of comparison. 

The "highlight reel": Users primarily post curated, idealized versions of their lives, showcasing achievements, vacations, and happy moments.

Feelings of inadequacy: When a user's unfiltered reality is constantly compared to the polished "highlight reel" of others, it can create feelings of low self-esteem, envy, and inadequacy.

Filters and altered self-perception: The pervasive use of filters on images and videos further promotes unrealistic beauty standards, which can lead to body dissatisfaction and a disconnect from one's authentic self. 

Fear of missing out (FOMO)

Platforms capitalize on the fundamental human need for connection by creating a fear of exclusion. 

Anxiety and compulsion: Notifications and feeds highlighting the activities of friends and acquaintances can trigger the fear of missing out on social events or experiences. This anxiety can drive compulsive checking and over-engagement.

Displacement of real-life interactions: The desire to stay "in the loop" online can cause users to prioritize virtual engagement over genuine, in-person social interactions, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. 

Design features that drive compulsive use

Social media platforms are deliberately engineered with features that make it hard to stop scrolling, even when a user intends to log off. 

Infinite scroll: This feature eliminates stopping points, allowing users to consume an endless stream of content without having to make a conscious decision to start a new page.

Autoplay: Platforms like YouTube and TikTok automatically play the next video in a queue, seamlessly prolonging a user's session without requiring any action.

Personalized algorithms: Artificial intelligence (AI) is used to constantly learn a user's preferences, ensuring that the content delivered is as engaging and attention-grabbing as possible. 

Targeting of adolescents

Social media companies disproportionately impact younger users, whose brains are still in a sensitive period of development. 

Vulnerability to reward systems: Developing brains are particularly sensitive to social rewards, which makes young people more susceptible to the variable reward systems of social media.

Impact on developing brains: Excessive social media use has been linked to changes in the parts of the adolescent brain related to emotional learning, impulse control, and regulation. This can lead to increased emotional sensitivity and compromised decision-making. 

This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more

Nick Santa Maria

Nick Santa Maria is an accomplished actor, comedian, writer, and musician known for his extensive work in both theater and television. He began his career in comedy before shifting his focus to stage acting, appearing in numerous musicals and revues.

Nick and I talk old Hollywood and Getting Old in Hollywood. The trials and pitfalls of age-ism in a world where "everything is in the front window". Being born at the wrong time, in the wrong decade, oh yes, The MadDawg knows that one OH SO WELL. We'll talk about that and more on What's The Buzz Popcast!

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0763142/

https://www.nicksantamaria.com/

Nick Santa Maria

Nick Santa Maria is an accomplished actor, comedian, writer, and musician known for his extensive work in both theater and television. He began his career in comedy before shifting his focus to stage acting, appearing in numerous musicals and revues.

Nick and I talk old Hollywood and Getting Old in Hollywood. The trials and pitfalls of age-ism in a world where "everything is in the front window". Being born at the wrong time, in the wrong decade, oh yes, The MadDawg knows that one OH SO WELL. We'll talk about that and more on What's The Buzz Popcast!

https://www.nicksantamaria.com/

OUR SPECIAL GUEST IS ALICE MULCONRY

Conspiracy Nation Podcast dives deep into the hidden corners of history, politics, and pop culture to uncover the stories they don’t want you to know. Each episode explores secret agendas, mysterious events, and alternative perspectives that challenge the mainstream narrative. Whether it’s government cover-ups, shadowy organizations, or the strange truths buried in plain sight, we bring you thought-provoking discussions that spark curiosity and open your mind.

Welcome to the nation where questions are encouraged, dots are connected, and nothing is off-limits.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO CHARLIE KIRK

Charlie Kirk was a prominent conservative political activist, co‑founder and CEO of Turning Point USA. Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2

On September 10, 2025, he was speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah, as part of his “American Comeback Tour.” Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3Encyclopedia Britannica+3

The event was attended by about 3,000 people. KCCI+3Encyclopedia Britannica+3Wikipedia+3

At 12:23:30 p.m. MDT, while responding to audience questions about mass shootings, Kirk was struck in the neck by a single bullet. Police1+3Wikipedia+3Encyclopedia Britannica+3

The shot is believed to have been fired from a rooftop of a building approximately 140–180 yards (roughly 130–165 m) away—investigators refer to it as a sniper-style assassination. KCRA+5Wikipedia+5Encyclopedia Britannica+5

Witnesses and video show people in the crowd scattering and screaming right after the shot. KCRA+4Wikipedia+4Encyclopedia Britannica+4

Kirk was carried by six men to an SUV and taken to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Encyclopedia Britannica+4Wikipedia+4Encyclopedia Britannica+4

Weapon recovered: Investigators found a .30-06 Mauser M98 bolt-action rifle in a wooded area along the presumed escape route. KCCI+4Police1+4Wikipedia+4

Forensic evidence: Palm prints, forearm imprints, a footprint (shoe impression), and smudges at the roof edge were collected. PBS+3Wikipedia+3Police1+3

In the first hours after the shooting, some people were held as persons of interest but later released. Encyclopedia Britannica+2PBS+2

The main suspect, Tyler James Robinson (age 22), surrendered on September 12, in Washington, Utah. Wikipedia+2Encyclopedia Britannica+2

Robinson was formally charged on September 16 with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and committing a violent crime in the presence of a child. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty. Wikipedia+2Encyclopedia Britannica+2

A roommate of Robinson, who is transgender, has cooperated with law enforcement. In text exchanges, Robinson is reported to have said, “I am … sorry,” and “I had enough of his hatred.” Encyclopedia Britannica+2PBS+2

The Utah governor labeled the killing a “political assassination.” KCCI+3Encyclopedia Britannica+3PBS+3

Many media and political figures condemned the act. Former President Trump, Republican leaders, and others blamed “left-wing ideologies” or groups even before motive or motive evidence was fully public. KCCI+3Wikipedia+3Encyclopedia Britannica+3

There was a surge of speculation and misinformation: allegations targeting transgender communities, Israel, or political opponents. Wikipedia+2PBS+2

Thousands attended memorials and tributes. For example, a large memorial service was held on September 21, 2025 in Arizona at State Farm Stadium (with overflow to Desert Diamond Arena). Wikipedia

Motive: Authorities have not definitively established motive. Some officials suggest Robinson had “leftist ideology” or had become radicalized via online communities, but this is not confirmed. PBS+2Wikipedia+2

Security gaps: Questions have been raised about how the shooter was able to access the rooftop, and how security around the event was arranged and managed. KCRA+2KCCI+2

Conspiracy theories & misinformation: Many unfounded theories have circulated, including claims of pre-knowledge by others, misattributed motive, or alternative shooters. Authorities caution about misinformation. Wikipedia+2PBS+2

Full motive interpretation: It remains unclear whether the assassination was strictly ideologically driven, personally motivated, or influenced by extremist content.

Doctor Adam Weaver, MD

Bruce Van Natta had a near-death experience after a workplace accident. He was suddenly out of his body watching the scene after the accident down below. He traveled back and forth from his body to the other side, during which he ascended through a tunnel bringing him to Jesus.

Finally, though, he was saved by angels and prayed back to life. In this interview, he describes the power of prayer, the importance of listening to God, and how he was able to verify his NDE.

Listen to our podcast, NDE Stories:

https://shows.acast.com/nde-with-t-and-h

https://open.spotify.com/show/0gluqaGEsVkY3Xcuz07DkU

"I'm not the first person to have discovered evidence that consciousness exists beyond the body. Brief, wonderful glimpses of this realm are as old as human history."

- Dr. Eben Alexander

#afterlife #goosebumps #nde

Speaker: Bruce Van Natta

https://sweetbreadministries.com/

Books: https://sweetbreadministries.com/books/

Chapters:

0:00 The Accident

6:48 Leaving His Body

10:05 Angels

11:49 Verifying the NDE

14:12 Spirit Going Back and Forth

18:00 Prayed Back To Life

23:55 Miraculous Recovery

28:40 The Power of Prayer

32:44 God Is Real

35:45 Free Will

36:40 God Talks To You

► If you have a story of a near-death experience to share, email [email protected]

Produced and Edited by T&H

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/tradgedyandhope

T&H Afterlife is on a mission to connect with people with NDE experiences. These stories of life after death are able to provide wisdom, comfort, and peace to those alive on Earth right now. When someone has an NDE, they typically recount heaven/ the afterlife as being a place of immense love, kindness, and of having no judgement. There is life after death.

During an NDE experience, those who are clinically dead will often take lessons from the afterlife that we usually learn too late. This is why these life after death experiences are so important: dying teaches us how to live.

​Lifelong Sinatra fans are fascinated when they hear Tony Sands start to croon. They think 'Ol Blue Eyes' has come back to life! For more than thirty years, Tony Sands has been perfecting his act, and wooing audiences all over the United States. Sands caught the Sinatra bug as a child growing up in South Philly. "When I was twelve or thirteen years old, that's when I first wanted to sing," Sands says. "My family played Sinatra records all the time, and I started singing along. The next thing I knew, I just fell in love with his music…and here I am."

Tony's silky, mesmerizing, and tantalizing rendition of the Chairman of the Board's style, has caught the eye of the entertainment community, and audiences from around the country. He’s performed in theaters across the country, as well as many Manhattan restaurants, Zanzibar Blue Jazz Club in Philadelphia, The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia, The Harvard Club, and The Breakers Hotel in New York City, just to name a select few.

During the winter months, Tony performs at various venues all across Florida, to standing ovations every night. Tony’s impressive resume includes performances at Trump Castle and Casino, Tropicana Casino & Resort, and Harrah’s Hotel and Casino, all in Atlantic City. His performances in Reno, Nevada at the Eldorado Resort Casino have been sold out, night after night. Tony has also made many television appearances up and down the east coast.

​

One of Tony's productions is a never before seen musical journey about the life and times of the late Frank Sinatra called, ‘Sinatra’ ~ The Musical. This production includes all of Sinatra's best loved songs from the early days with Tommy Dorsey, to the bright lights of New York City, and then to the silver screen of Hollywood, leading up to Sinatra's 'Main Event' comeback.

Another performance of Tony’s that you don’t want to miss is Sinatra’s ‘That’s Life’ Concert. Tony brings in his BIG BAND, Swingtopia, and performs all the popular standards that you can sing along to. Tony captivates his audiences with the romance, mannerisms and illusion that have made Sands one of the most popular entertainers around.

In 2010, Tony produced a widespread favorite show, 'Rat Pack Together Again.' Tony’s portrayal of 'The Legend,' in this revue is 'spot on!’ Dean, Sammy, & Frank’s onstage banter will keep you ‘in stitches,’ just like the ‘real’ Rat Pack did back in the day.

​

Finally, 'Start Spreading the News' with Liza and Frank, is a spectacular tribute to Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli, and it's Tony's latest production. It stars Tony Sands and Whitney Grace with the electrifying Live Big Band, Swingtopia. Get ready for a night of pure magic as two powerhouse performers bring the legends to life in this dazzling tribute that plays to sold-out crowds, and earns unanimous standing ovations across the country! Whitney Grace stuns with Liza’s most iconic hits, from "Cabaret" to "All That Jazz," and Tony brings Sinatra’s charm and velvet vocals to classics like "Come Fly With Me" and "My Way." Then, prepare to be blown away as they come together for a show-stopping duet of "New York, New York!" This is more than a concert — it's a musical time machine through the golden era of American entertainment.