Are these the "Fortunate Isles"?

> Y'all, endowed with virtue, put aside that womanly mourning,

> And sail beyond the Etruscan shores.

> The all-encompassing Ocean awaits us: let us head

> To the fields, the blessed fields and the Fortunate Isles.

-- Horace, Epodes XVI, 39 - 42

I have a talent for leaving. I have left things, places, and people. Most of the time I get tired with something: then I just walk away, silently. No fuss. It's just a matter of time.

I joined many social media sites and left them as well, after some time. I remember when Facebook came out; everyone was so excited about it, but I was just like: "What is it for? We've got irc, instant messages, email services, usenet, bbs, forums already." But I guess nobody at that time could foresee the tremendous scenario that was about to form before our eyes. I joined nonetheless, for the same reason as everyone else: because everyone was there.

Countless other came later, with Instagram just being the last in the list. I tried Mastodon too, at some point. However, turns out that I don't like "like" buttons at all, and even the more so if there is no "don't like" button. Moreover, I don't understand why I should be forced to use less bytes when writing something I deem as important or interesting, when any jerk can waste much more by posting a picture. Enough grumbling.

Most people seem to be aware and concerned about the risks social media pose to privacy, and they are right. But they are detrimental to people's minds as well. Now that I have (almost) completely quit them, I can see clearly how they affected my inner life. Since the people we choose to follow matter less and less in front of the "Almighty Algorithm", I was continously faced with questionable content whose sole purpose was to trigger an emotional response. I fell headlong in that trap so many times that I almost feel ashamed now.

I'm tired of being dragged into pointless and heated discussions, of being manipulated into opinions I don't really hold. I don't want to feel anger and contempt around me. I want to finally be in a safe and quiet place. A place where I can be myself, knowing that one can be *absolutely* oneself only when (s)he is alone. I'm leaving the mess of the Tuscan shores, with its wars and pirates and merchants and sailor men, and head to the peaceful Fortunate Isles that lie beyond the Pillars of Hercules. I hope this to be that kind of place.

~~~