Sep 29, 2021
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Social Media X Backpacking Panel
Time stamps & Questions
00:02:44 - QOTD: What was the first social media app you engaged with regularly?
00:09:19 - Wisconsin reminder: Delafield & Fitchburg events
00:10:27 - Introducing today’s panel: Social Media X Backpacking
00:12:24 - Zach’s take on Instagram being an ineffective tool to learn about backpacking
00:13:45 - Chaunce’s rebuttal on using social media for research
00:15:56 - Zach’s recommendation to not use Instagram as your primary research tool
00:16:06 - How much did Chaunce research for her PCT hike?
00:17:00 - Elise’s take on applying critical thinking when viewing social media content
00:18:30 - Blogging content vs. social media content
00:21:30 - Chaunce’s defense of Instagram
00:22:52 - Elise moderates and discusses Instagram serving as a highlight reel
00:23:54 - Example of people using Instagram negatively for educational purposes
00:25:00 - Using social media tools for inspiration
00:27:11 - Discussing the impact of diving into a thru-hike unprepared
00:28:18 - Elise’s caveat to using social media for education
00:29:44 - YouTube being a powerful educator
00:30:10 - Tagging locations on Instagram
00:30:58 - Chaunce’s pro-tagging stance
00:32:43 - Elise’s tagging stance and how it relates to increase crowds in the outdoors
00:34:00 - How tagging locations relates to gatekeeping
00:35:11 - Nuances of the gatekeeping debate
00:36:46 - If you want to keep places private, why would you post about it to begin with?
00:39:25 - Chaunce’s stance on requiring permits for overcrowded areas
00:41:25 - Elise’s point on paid permits being exclusionary
00:44:23 - Pros and cons of Instagram influencing
00:46:26 - Financial motivation to be an influencer
00:53:45 - What are the benefits to growing your presence on Instagram?
00:59:00 - Elise’s pros for growing her account
01:00:39 - Elise’s cons for growing her accounts
01:01:30 - People misplacing their anger toward influencers
01:04:00 - Defining what constitutes as a “public figure”
01:07:45 - At what point do you accept you’re a public figure?
01:08:53 - Elise’s Guthook trolls story
01:11:10 - Opening yourself up to negativity
01:12:28 - Using hashtags to gain exposure
01:12:47 - Summary of pros and cons of Instagram influencing
01:14:55 - Thriving off of social media attention
01:15:45 - Pressures of entertaining fans
01:19:12 - Determining how comfortable you are with attention
01:22:12 - Can being an influencer impact your experience on trail?
01:27:42 - Instagram providing instant gratification
01:30:14 - Have you ever touched up a photo to alter your appearance?
01:31:20 - If you were sharing with friends, would you still edit the photo?
01:35:45 - Does Instagram make people more self-conscious about appearance?
01:42:11 - Is the influencer world having a negative impact in backpacking?
01:54:23 - The power of social media to influence positive change
01:59:51 - How Zach landed on his decision to decrease social media usage
02:06:51 - Zach, how do your opinions conflict with running the Trek’s social pages?
02:08:50 - “The Social Dilemma” documentary
02:10:49 - Chaunce’s social media conclusion
02:16:10 - Being a good listener vs. solutioning
02:18:05 - Defining what good social media use is for you
02:22:17- Episode wrap-up
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