Social scientists are finding users are not just editing settings on social media. Users, especially women, are editing their bodies and faces. And this practice has led to a new standard of beauty.

Problematically, social scientists say this standard of beauty is nearly impossible to obtain. Some people have turned to cosmetic surgery to get the results they want. Others are grappling with anxiety or eating disorders. Researchers say it’s a growing issue impacting young people worldwide.

While modern social networks have done a lot to enable human interaction, their infrastructure and operations leave much to be desired. Widespread censorship, arbitrary algorithm changes, privacy violations, intrusive ads, and undue exploitation of creators are some complaints levelled against legacy social networks.

Blockchains can help create decentralized social media networks that are user-controlled, censorship-resistant, and private.

• Give as much thought to choosing your last sentence as you did to your first.


• Bring the story full circle: strike an echo of a note that was sounded at the beginning.


• The perfect ending should take your readers slightly by surprise and yet seem exactly right.


• Don’t sell past the close. When you’re ready to stop, stop.