Interwebs 💻 Magazines, Social Media, & Social Perception vs Reality

[michaelskis]

This weekend I was getting plates out of the cabinet for dinner, and I noticed that each one of the 5 plates for each of the members of our family were different. Granted they were all white, but each one had a different thickness, detail, depth, curve, or other feature. It is not something I think most people would think of because when you look in magazines, social media, or other places, you would just expect matching plates. I am sure the same goes for other things like silverware, glasses, and bath towels. All of those are a mix of different sets that have dwindled over time.

Of course this started a mental journey down the rabbit hole of social perception of what is, vs what actually is. My house is never magazine level clean, our kids are not always well behaved, and I am quite sure that I have multiple dirty dishes in my sink 95% of the time. There are a few only non-negotiables, one is making the bed. I make the bed every morning, including on weekends. It is what I do. I am 15% at getting my kids to make their, but I make mine for me.

Same goes for social media. A buddy of mine refers to it as the highlight real because people only post the best pictures to tell the story that they want to tell vs the real story. It is almost always positive and sometimes (not all the time) if it is negative, it is because some is craving attention. Still, telling the story they want to tell.


What about you? Do you have a spotless house, matching dishes, and a pristine lawn?

 

[Wannaplan?]

…a spotless house, matching dishes, and a pristine lawn…

your post is the most anxiety-inducing post of 2025

 

[fringe]

This weekend I was getting plates out of the cabinet for dinner, and I noticed that each one of the 5 plates for each of the members of our family were different. Granted they were all white, but each one had a different thickness, detail, depth, curve, or other feature. It is not something I think most people would think of because when you look in magazines, social media, or other places, you would just expect matching plates. I am sure the same goes for other things like silverware, glasses, and bath towels. All of those are a mix of different sets that have dwindled over time.

Of course this started a mental journey down the rabbit hole of social perception of what is, vs what actually is. My house is never magazine level clean, our kids are not always well behaved, and I am quite sure that I have multiple dirty dishes in my sink 95% of the time. There are a few only non-negotiables, one is making the bed. I make the bed every morning, including on weekends. It is what I do. I am 15% at getting my kids to make their, but I make mine for me.

Same goes for social media. A buddy of mine refers to it as the highlight real because people only post the best pictures to tell the story that they want to tell vs the real story. It is almost always positive and sometimes (not all the time) if it is negative, it is because some is craving attention. Still, telling the story they want to tell.


What about you? Do you have a spotless house, matching dishes, and a pristine lawn?

Ms Fringe is tidy-itis. I am complicit and keep my side of maintenance, but not as ritualistic. You can eat off any of our floors. (The five second rule extends to ten)

Outside I am the master gardener but the Ms is stick pickup maister.

Re eatware, we have a real mix of new, old, etc. Otherwise I am the builder/repairman she is the decorator.

 

[Hawkeye66]

Social Media is another level of Dante's Inferno. Hopefully it goes away.

It largely fuels division in this Country and is manipulated by bad actors.

It has no real redeeming value. I quit, I can't recommend that enough.

 

[SlaveToTheGrind]

...I am sure the same goes for other things like silverware...

I can count at least five different silverware styles in our drawer. I know two are just single piece and have no idea where they came from. Plate and bowls we have three styles.

Your post leads me to the ridiculous idea of an "influencer". Certainly magazines have been portrayed as an influencer for decades. Now, we just include people and present via a different medium to make it seem more personal.

 

[DVD]

My house is spotless because of the wife. We do have matching plates, but there is a stack of not matching plates. This is all because of the wife. If it were me, I would buy a set of plates and when enough broke I would buy another set and eventually have mixed up plates.

 

[Gedunker]

My adult son lives with me. He has been diagnosed as a border-line hoarder. Life is a challenge.

 

[Bubba]

What about you? Do you have a spotless house, matching dishes, and a pristine lawn?

Yes.

 

[ursus]

In addition to having a ton of non-matching utensils, we have an entire section of a drawer overrun with those plastic spoons they give you at Menchies. Send help.