I have an on-and-off-again relationship with Twitter. I always end up migrating away because I get caught up in "keeping up with the Joneses" (i.e., pertaining to all the writing goals others are meeting while I am not), so I completely understood the vibes of competition that can come up with social media's tight influence.

For some perspective, I've been on and off the internet since I was 8 years old. I was an early adopter of "social media"-esque communication via chat rooms, and my mom was quick to realize how toxic that kind of reach could be.

Even though I know the internet can often be poisonous, I also realize that I would not have my current tech job if the technology itself hadn't advanced enough to necessitate a position like mine. I've even thought about potentially jumping into a potential career within the realm of social media at some point (no, not an influencer, haha), but I don't know if these kinds of things could - or even should - be sustained. It's something I grapple with in my thoughts sometimes even though it's just another one of the thousands ot things I have no control over.

I guess all that to say: I would probably be one of those kids given a cigarette, lighting it up without even realizing any of the repercussions to come...