Using our time wisely
Leveraging my time on social media for change, healing spaces for Asians, teens and k-pop stans saving the world, coronavirus updates, and the power of makeup
Hi friend,
Some of you may know that I meticulously time my time each day. From the moment I wake until I go to sleep, I log my behaviors into Toggl to better understand where my hours and minutes go to.
One category in particular, “excess”, includes hours from social media usage, which has been eye opening to analyze. While it’s enjoyable to follow my friends, giggle at memes, and stay updated with social movements, nothing has really substantiated with the hours spent scrolling.
This month alone, I spent over 50 hours on social media (with a few days peaking at embarrassing levels). With those hours, I could have:
Devoted a full 40-hour work week to my projects
Recorded an entire year’s worth of podcast episodes
Drafted 25 email newsletters
Added two hours of sleep to everyday
I have excused a lot of my time on social media as “the work” consuming and sharing content as it relates to social activism. However, as we think about who we are sharing our content with, it is often an echo chamber with people who share similar beliefs when we take into account our culled list of friends, followers, and an algorithm focused on engagement.
While social media activism may be a part of our movement for social justice, it alone cannot solve and abolish racism that has been deeply intertwined with our socio and economic systems.
One thing that has haunted me for the longest time working in advertising and technology has been the inequity within my design teams. From leadership to functional team diversity, 99% is comprised of cis-straight white men and women.
And so in the past few weeks, I took the time I would normally spend on social media into something bigger: QTPOC Design - an organization that provides education, mentorship, and networking opportunities to LGBTQ+ designers of color. Education and accessibility to jobs is paramount in establishing equity within our corporate environment.
If you know any LGBTQ+ designers of color (ux/ui/design) interested to be a part of this initiative, send them over to qtpoc.design! Hosting our first online event on 7/21/20.
So, thought starter for this weekend: how much time are you spending on social media and what can you repurpose them for?
In other offerings…
For my Asian activists: launched last week a weekly space of mediation and self-care. It will be hosted every Sunday evening for as long as protests are going on. Co-hosted with one of my amazing API PFLAG chapter leaders.
And for my queer Asians: 7/12/20 is another session of Sparkles monthly support group. Tickets are 50% sold out already so book a spot if you are interested in joining.
Whew!
Lots of stuff going on. If you or anyone you know might find any of these events useful, come on by!
Teens and K-Pop stans will save our world
“It spread mostly through Alt TikTok — we kept it on the quiet side where people do pranks and a lot of activism,” said YouTuber Elijah Daniel, 26, who participated in the campaign. “K-pop, Twitter and Alt TikTok have a good alliance where they spread information amongst each other very quickly. They all know the algorithms and how they can boost videos to get where they want.”
Many users deleted their posts after 24 to 48 hours in order to conceal their plan. “The majority of people who made them deleted them after the first day because we didn’t want the Trump campaign to catch wind,” Daniel said. “These kids are smart, and they thought of everything.”
How TikTok teens and K-Pop stans went after Trump’s rally
(From this, Greta Thunberg, and to the activists from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Florida, the younger generation are mobilizing and using the internet so much better than their older counterparts.)
Coronavirus news
In areas that are starting to reopen, there is a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.
Why aren’t we learning from Hawaii? How Hawaii Became a Rare Covid Success Story by Politico.
The power of makeup
As tracking technology becomes more powerful, privacy is becoming a privilege and skill. Especially in areas where masks are illegal, makeup becomes an important piece in this conversation. Can Makeup Be an Anti-Surveillance Tool?
As always, thanks for reading!
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Have a beautiful day!
Metta (loving-kindness),
Steven
Yellow Glitter Podcast | IG | YT | FB | TW | StevenWakabayashi.com