childfree shules my beloved
Real
KOKOBOT - The Airbnb-Owned Tech Startup - Data Mining Tumblr Users' Mental Health Crises for "Content"
I got this message from a bot, and honestly? If I was a bit younger and not such a jaded bitch with a career in tech, I might have given it an honest try. I spent plenty of time in a tough situation without access to any mental health resources as a teen, and would have been sucked right in.
Chatting right from your phone, and being connected with people who can help you? Sounds nice. Especially if you believe the testimonials they spam you with (tw suicide / self harm mention in below images)
But I was getting a weird feeling, so I went to read the legalese.
I couldn't even get through the fine-print it asked me to read and agree to, without it spamming the hell out of me. Almost like they expect people to just hit Yes? But I'm glad I stopped to read, because:
- What you say on there won't be confidential. (And for context, I tried it out and the things people were looking for help with? I didn't even feel comfortable sharing here as examples, it was all so deeply personal and painful)
- Also, what you say on there? Is now...
- Koko's intellectual property - giving them the right to use it in any way they see fit, including
- Publicly performing or displaying your "content" (also known as your mental health crisis) in any media format and in any media channel without limitation
- Do this indefinitely after you end your account with them
- Sell / share this "content" with other businesses
- Any harm you come to using Koko? That's on you.
- And Koko won't take responsibility for anything someone says to you on there (which is bleak when people are using it to spread Christianity to people in crisis)
I was curious about their business model. They're a venture-capitol based tech startup, owned by Airbnb, the famous mental health professionals with a focus on ethical business practices./s They're also begging for donations despite having already been given 2.5 million dollars in research funding. (If you want a deep dive on why people throw crazy money at tech startups, see my other post here)
They also use the data they gather from users to conduct research and publish papers. I didn't find them too interesting - other than as a good case study of "People tend to find what they are financially incentivized to find". Predictably, Koko found that Kokobot was beneficial to its users.
So yeah, being a dumbass with too much curiosity, I decided to use the Airbnb-owned Data-Mining Mental Health Chatline anyway. And if you thought it was dangerous sounding from the disclaimers? Somehow it got worse.
(trigger warning / discussions of child abuse / sexual abuse / suicide / violence below the cut - please don't read if you're not in a good place to hear about negligence around pretty horrific topics.)
*starts messaging people after months of silence, enthusiastically happy* "soooo I've been depressed, sorry for being dead, how are you!"
in all seriousness though; I think the important thing, if this is happening to you, is to remember that most people aren't going to hate you for having life stuff and depression, and like my loving partner always says, "words don't have an expiration date", so it's ok if you aren't able to respond to something immediately. Try not to beat yourself up over not responding, cause it'll only make it harder for you to reach out to those you love, and talking to people will help your depression.
Even if it was for one year in fifth grade <3
Have you ever played an instrument?
Guitar/Ukulele/Banjo
Violin/Bass
Flute/Piccolo
Clarinet/Oboe
Trumpet/Trombone/Saxophone/French Horn
Drums/Bongos
Piano/Harp/Accordion
Two or more
Something not listed
I never played an instrument
Extra points for leaving in tags for how many years and if you still do
Stress having physical effects is so stupid your body's just like "you've been having a real shit time and I'm about to make it worse" I hope you die I hope we both die
this is why taking care of yourself is so important.
idk why it has to be called 'self love' now, but if you don't take measures to de-cortisol your blood after experiencing grief, or prolonged stress, or being in fight or flight, then you're going to hormonally get knocked into a state of depression or anxiety depending on how your brain copes. and worse if you just leave it to exacerbate.
maybe some of the so-called "self love" strategies of taking walks outside to help your body process excess cortisol and breathing in negative ions,
or getting a ton of extra sleep right after an emotionally overwhelming event or during that kind of time, in order to let your body physically heal
or saying no to extra responsibilities because you need to just hang onto the side of the world before you slip off the edge,
or dressing yourself in your comfiest pjs the second you get home, and tucking yourself into bed with a bowl of noodles and a comfort tv show and a warm drink that hugs your tummy from the inside and some candles because the low flickering light is soothing and the scent reminds you of the first time you bought vanilla glade candles and the way your best friends perfume mixed with it while she stayed with you.
those may fall under the umbrella of self care and demonized as self love or misunderstood as self obsession.
but if you don't take the time to rest and heal it's going to catch up with you. whether it's an actual autoimmune problem or just regular burnout.
[ID: a tweet from carmen @therealcbrad reading:
"Me in winter: i don't do well with the lack of sun and cold
Me in spring: I don't do well with allergies while things around me thrive
Me in summer: I suffer in the heat and humidity like a dying hog
Me for the two weeks of autumn: nice"
end ID]
