#120 | Social Media x Backpacking

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are talking all things social media and how it relates to the world of backpacking. This is a long and lively conversation and we dive into some highly charged subjects including gatekeeping, is Instagram influencing a good or bad for the thru-hiking culture, the addictive nature of social media, and much much more.

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Social Media X Backpacking Panel

• Zach's Instagram
• Juliana's Instagram
• Elise's Instagram

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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