The TV Revival: A Desperate Attempt to Make Scrolling Social Again

The notion that TVs have become the “good screens” – a respite from the toxic glow of smartphones – is both fascinating and misguided. As Instagram extends its reach onto our living rooms’ biggest displays, it’s time to question whether this is merely a desperate attempt to redeem scrolling.

In 2022, Kate Lindsay noted that the “good screen versus bad screen” meme had shifted, with people seeking solace in the humble television. This shift speaks to our desire for communal entertainment, where we can laugh and cry together without the anxiety of being judged by social media algorithms. We’re more willing to share curated feeds on the big screen than on our personal devices because it allows us to momentarily escape the scrutiny of our online personas.

Instagram’s introduction of its stand-alone TV app is an attempt to make scrolling more palatable. The app features allow users to create themed “channels” based on their interests, transforming a private activity into a shared experience. However, this move raises questions about the nature of our relationships and how we choose to spend time together.

Jonathan Gray, a professor of media and cultural studies, suggests that while scrolling has always had a social element, there’s a fine line between sharing a funny video with a friend and bombarding them with every aspect of your feed. The idea of making Instagram’s algorithm-driven content collaborative is intriguing but also risks turning our living rooms into echo chambers.

The TV app relies on the same recommendation system as the smartphone version, which raises concerns about the quality of content we’ll be subjecting ourselves and our loved ones to. Will we be forced to endure whittling videos or awkward attempts at humor? Instagram spokesperson Christine Pai claims that the TV app will give an edge to horizontal videos, but this doesn’t address the fundamental issue: some of us might not want to watch certain content in the first place.

Marika Lüders’s observation about our ambivalence towards scrolling feeds is spot on. We find it entertaining at times, but we also feel embarrassed by its very nature. By projecting our curated lives onto the big screen, are we simply trying to justify the time we spend on social media? Or is this a genuine attempt to reconnect with others and create shared experiences?

The TV revival might be seen as a clever marketing ploy or a desperate bid to stay relevant in a crowded market. But it also speaks to our deeper desires for community, entertainment, and validation. As we continue to grapple with the implications of social media on our lives, perhaps it’s time to ask: what does it say about us that we’re willing to share our most private moments with strangers, but not with those closest to us?

The TV app might be a step towards making scrolling more palatable, but it also risks further blurring the lines between public and private spaces. As we eagerly await the next big thing in social media, let’s not forget that true connection requires more than just a shared screen – it demands empathy, understanding, and a willingness to engage with others on their own terms.

The era of scrolling has been marked by our increasing reliance on algorithms to curate our experiences. But as we invite these algorithms into our living rooms, we must be cautious not to sacrifice our relationships and our sense of self in the process. The TV revival is a reminder that true connection requires more than just a screen – it demands humanity.