The internet’s on fire and you’re holding the matches

We need to talk.

(ooof I know hearing that sucks if you’re in a relationship)

You know that feeling when you open your phone and suddenly three hours have evaporated like spilled vodka on hot concrete?

Yeah. That one.

The one where you started checking “just one thing” and ended up doom scrolling through seventeen different flavours of god knows what.

And as one of my close friends have often said to me: “The internet’s on fire, mate. Properly ablaze.”

Social media platforms have mutated into these grotesque breeding grounds for toxicity.

Like petri dishes left under a heat lamp by some sadistic lab tech who really, really hates humanity.

News outlets are cranking the doom and gloom dial to what I’d call “level 32 on the gloom-O-scale”

(and honestly, that scale only goes to 10, so we’re in uncharted territory)

Everyone’s either looking to fight each other or one up each other.

So we need to tackle Intent

Deep breath. This is the important bit and stay with me…

I can confidently say that 95% of people jump on the internet or social media platforms as a form of distraction from the dumpster fire of their own lives. I get it. It’s not like the world’s gotten measurably better since 2020.

We’ve been collectively marinating in uncertainty like some kind of anxiety flavoured I don’t even know.

Misery loves company, right? And don’t get me wrong…

We’re allowed to have a little moan once in a while. We need to acknowledge the suck fest that is modern existence. But there must come a time when we stop.

When we decide, with actual, deliberate intent, that we’re gonna make some changes to our lives.

THAT is the part that’s not easy. Before you know it, you’re binging Netflix for the next 72 hours like some kind of entertainment addicted zombie, shuffling from one auto playing episode to the next.

(I’ve been guilty of this. We all have. Don’t pretend you haven’t)

But what if…

What if instead of using the internet as comfort food (empty calories for your brain), you used it with intent?

What if every time you opened that glowing sadness rectangle of infinite distraction, you asked yourself:

“How is this going to make my day better? My ideas sharper? My business stronger?”

Take my approach as an example. I’ve built a wild audience by being intentionally opinionated, deliberately thoughtful, and strategically entertaining. (some people dislike me, especially in the marketing space but they still read all of my stuff to this day)

I craft silly emails that people like to read because it keeps their brain meats working…

I don’t have some wild content plan. I just write about what I enjoy and the way I see the world and people like. Which to this day is still wild.

That’s intent in action.

With that all being said. Do these things:

Every time you reach for your phone, pause.

Ask yourself: “Am I about to feed the fire, or am I about to build something?”

If you’re scrolling for business intel. Great. If you’re looking for inspiration. Brilliant. If you’re connecting with actual humans who add value to your existence, carry on…

But if you’re about to dive headfirst into another argument about pineapple on pizza (for the 9462th time this year), or get sucked into whatever fresh drama is trending. Just… stop.

Use the internet like a research library, not a entertainment center. Follow creators who challenge your thinking.

I like to read widely, thinks deeply, and share about as authentically as I know.

Which is super not so sexy. It’s just me in these emails and the back and forth I have with you.

I’d say find your version of that. Whether it’s following weirdos who you dig, joining a cul-community, or just looking at what others are doing that you want to do.

If you read something. Make sure it teaches you something fresh, maybe even inspire you a little or even point you to someone who might be able to help you get your thing out into the world.

Use the internet to understand your people, not to escape from them. Engage in conversations that matter. Share insights that help. Build relationships that last longer than an Instagram story.

The internet doesn’t have to be this soul sucking, attention harvesting machine.

But remember it all requires intent.

Curating what you feed your brain takes intent. It’s not easy but it makes a difference if you do it little by little.

The internet’s on fire, sure.

You can choose to be the person who builds something better.

The internet is what you make it and even if that means animal videos and memes, well then that’s cool too.

Make it better.

(Now stop reading and go do something intentional with your day)

Stephen Walker

P.S. No links. Just words. I love you. Go be awesome.


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