The Surprising Benefits of Purposeful Social Media Use
Social media is in such a peculiar place right now. The fact that so many of us instinctively turn to platforms like Facebook and Instagram every day, despite knowing we should probably spend less time on our phones, speaks volumes about our relationship with these digital spaces. We often reach for them in moments of boredom, only to find ourselves scrolling through endless feeds with a jaded perspective on reality—feeling “bored” as we watch snippets of others’ lives that, in truth, may offer little of substance or relevance to our own.
Take, for instance, the allure of watching a video of massive waves in Tahiti. It’s undeniably exciting, a captivating glimpse into a world many of us may never experience firsthand. But let’s be honest: how many people will actually make it to Tahiti in their lifetime? Is spending hours in front of a screen, dreaming of far-off places through curated videos, the most meaningful use of our time?
But what if we flip the script? What if, instead of passively consuming content, we approached it with a different mindset? Imagine you stumble upon a video of those incredible waves, and instead of letting it drift into the ether of your subconscious, you decide, “I’m going.” Suddenly, the hours spent online become purposeful, driven by the decision to transform a passive interest into an active pursuit. There’s value in much of the content available on the internet today, but we must be intentional in how we engage with it.
The truth is, most social media platforms offer limited organization and categorization of content, making it easy to get lost in an endless stream of irrelevant information. The architecture of these platforms, built on foundations that are now somewhat outdated, doesn’t lend itself to meaningful engagement or purposeful exploration. To overhaul these foundational frameworks would require dismantling and rebuilding from the ground up—a challenge that the “greats” of social media may not find worth undertaking. Consider Twitter, or “X” as it’s now called; Elon Musk’s vision is, in part, an attempt to reimagine this space. But has it truly revolutionized the social media landscape? Not yet.
This brings me to where I see an opportunity. I’m not a computer scientist or an AI expert, but I understand that technology is evolving at an incredible pace. Businesses and professionals worldwide are increasingly open to integrating AI models to automate and optimize various aspects of their operations. This shift in thinking is creating a demand for people who can bridge the gap between technology and practical applications—those who can critically assess and implement AI solutions effectively.
As for me, I’m currently working on the beta release of the Baja Pescador AI fishing app, while also awaiting the arrival of the first 10 rough copies of my book, El Batman, which was officially published today. You can find it on Amazon by searching “El Batman Christopher Pizzitola.” I’m proud of this accomplishment, and even more so knowing that my mom and Aunt Gina were the first to order copies. I’m not sure if the book will be a great success, but even a modest amount of residual income each month could make a significant difference—perhaps even enough to keep us from having to rent out our Southern California home during our transition to Baja.
No matter what, I know things will work out. We’re fortunate to have access to plenty of resources and friends willing to help us along the way. We’re excited about what the future holds and can’t wait to celebrate the move with our kids when winter comes.
In the meantime, I’ll keep pushing forward with the things I love—writing, building, and dreaming big for Baja Pescador. The digital landscape is changing rapidly, and there’s room for those willing to adapt and think differently. Whether it’s redefining how we engage with social media, using AI to improve a business, or simply finding purpose in every click and scroll, the journey continues. We’re ready for it.
