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Sex, food, money, and… sharing on Facebook?

Why is Facebook so popular? It’s quite simple, really. People love to talk about themselves. Oversharing is an innate desire, driven by narcissism and rewarded by approval. This reward system causes the same brain activity that occurs when you eat bacon or when you’re makin’ bacon.

This article from MSNBC.com discusses a study that found that sharing on Facebook can be as satisfying as sex. Even the most shy person’s heart can go aflutter with a little TMI.

It’s easy to see what’s at play here. This desire for acceptance from others satisfies a basic human need. All those comments and likes garnered by revealing yourself on Facebook provide nuggets of excitement; they build up your self esteem. The irony is that despite feeling good about broadcasting yourself via social media, you can end up feeling more isolated.

Oversharing can’t contribute to your well-being like one-on-one communication can. You achieve true fulfillment from close relationships with friends and family, not by pursuing the insignificant rewards earned by sharing the minutia of your life.

Posted by Jenny Blumberg