I just finished watching the K-drama series, “Celebrity,” a short series with only 12 episodes. The story revolves around the lives of social media influencers or e-celebrities and how power, pride, and jealousy can change and corrupt people.

What I like about the series is that it offers viewers a glimpse into the lives of influencers. While it may not be entirely accurate, it is not far from reality. I am not in a position to judge whether they live a happy or meaningful life, but one thing is for sure—they depict a life detached from reality. On a positive note, being an influencer requires a lot of planning, preparation, commitment, and hard work, especially for those who haven’t yet built a team to help them shoot and edit their videos.

As for the story and plot, it follows a basic revenge storyline but adds interest with its suspense and mystery theme. I won’t spoil it, so I’ll stop there.

Another commendable aspect is the portrayal of the significance of possessing unwavering moral integrity. This attribute allows individuals to stand firm in the face of difficult decisions, regardless of the challenges and potential outcomes. The protagonist, in particular, embodies a character reminiscent of a figure from a Dostoevsky novel, grappling with her conscience and inner conflicts.

However, beyond the story lies a scenario that we should be aware of: according to Statista, as of February 2023, “Internet users in the Philippines spent an average of 9.14 hours accessing the internet on various devices during the third quarter of 2022. Meanwhile, the daily average time spent on social media was 3.43 hours. Other activities of Filipino internet users include watching television and listening to music streaming services.” This substantial amount of time undoubtedly has an impact on consumers both mentally and emotionally.

There are two things to be cautious of: the content and the algorithm. Content, such as photos and videos that flood social media, is designed to entertain and keep you occupied for long hours but often lacks productive or meaningful value. Once you get caught up in this vortex, you lose track of time, finding yourself hypnotized for hours. You acquire nonsensical information that affects you subconsciously. You see the lives of rich and famous influencers, showcasing their belongings, trips, and food, and before you know it, you’re wondering why life seems unfair and why you don’t have that kind of lifestyle. Jealousy and bitterness can creep in, leading to constant comparisons with others. However, for those who find inspiration and aspire to uplift themselves, the effect can be positive. The key question is how to avoid negative impacts.

The algorithm, which is the program of a social media app that captures your behavior, turns it into data, and uses that information to provide content that appeals to you or validates your beliefs, may seem harmless, but it is not. By catering only to our desires, it validates and amplifies our biases, contributing to a polarized society. Additionally, algorithms influence the choices we make. Do we truly have freedom when we ask Google where we should eat lunch? We rely on Google, but the choices presented to us have been pre-determined by its algorithm. The scariest part is that we don’t know who determines the algorithm and its objectives.

However, it’s not all doom and despair. Algorithms also have their positive aspects. They have helped us solve many problems. Traffic apps aid in planning our day better, accurate weather predictions keep us safe, and algorithms simplify certain areas of our lives, such as identifying spam messages and assisting doctors in making better decisions.

The story of the Trojan Horse offers us a compelling analogy. Odysseus devised a plan to infiltrate the fortified city of Troy. They constructed a wooden horse that carried a select group of soldiers within its belly. The horse was left outside the gates of Troy as a seemingly innocent gift. The Trojans, unaware of its contents, brought the horse inside the gate. The rest, as they say, is history. The horse represents the content that appears innocent and appealing. As for the success of the horse, Odysseus devised a cunning plan, akin to an algorithm, to achieve a specific objective by taking advantage of the behavior and psychology of the Trojans.

This leads me to ask: how welcome is the Trojan Horse in your life?