Its been said many times on this sub that social media is something to be avoided. In my opinion this is not completely true, apps like insta and snapchat can be good tools for networking or hooking up with women, and if you can play the game I wish you good luck. However, for a majority of guys Insta is poison, and is what I will comment on in this post.

So why is insta so bad? Well, as alluded to in the title, it isn't real. Its a fantasy land consisting of people's idealised self image. If you scroll through the average instagram, it is rife with 'flexing,' think the 9-5 shop worker who posts nothing of their shitty job, and everything about their holidays in Lanzorote and their high class nights out while they live pay check to pay check to afford it. And what's worse of course is they are driven to these un-affordable expenses because they are in a constant social arms race. While it does push you, its pushing you in the wrong direction and only misery results. Take fitness as an example. 99% of photos you see on social media are taken in optimal lighting after having a pump. The reality? These physiques *are not attainable naturally.* Hell, if you've ever sent a nude you'll see how much different you can make yourself look. So what do we get? While there are a lot of overweight people out there who need to get in shape, there are also many athletically built guys with body dysmorphia going to extreme lengths to attain impossible physiques. Don't buy into it, you need to gym but you also need your sanity. Attached is a photo of what simple lighting can do.

Instagram puts the ball firmly in the female's court. They are able to pick from an array of men at ease and make themselves the prize, whilst getting ungodly amounts of attention. The worst bit? Even a bang average girl can look an eight out of ten on insta, the catfishing is criminal. I mean Jesus, there's even a feature to edit the size of your smile! Instagram is a compendium of unreality and one-upmanship. Instagram puts you at a severe disadvantage if you are not in the top ten percent of men. Instagram is not real. Get off it, get into the real world and realise no one is perfect, that everyone has flaws and put the power back into your hands by approaching girls in the real world.

I mentioned the top ten percent of men being what insta is useful for. However, from personal experience if you're not photogenic you're screwed. I myself would confidently put myself in the top 5% of guys in terms of looks and status. I get laid all the time, so why do I dislike insta so much? Simple, I''m not remotely photogenic. In real life I'm a ten, on photos? Lucky if I'm pushing a 7. And the reverse is true for worse looking but photogenic guys. Now where I grew up, posing like a faggot for photos is heavily frowned on, its unmanly. If its not getting you laid don't bother.

So the Tl:dr. If you're a photogenic guy with an exciting life who is living within his means, maybe use insta to hook up. If you're in business its a good tool to promote or network. If you must use insta, use it as a tool, a means to an end rather than an end in and of itself. Don't make up a fantasy life to compete with the other liars, its not important. Say it with me, *it isn't real.* Insta is not an accurate depiction of your value vs other males, don't let it worry you. Get in the gym, dress well, build yourself up. Spend your life in the real world and realise you're vastly superior to the array of sad betas surrounding you and creating their fantasy land. Instagram is not real.

That camera angle bro.