10 Mind-Broadening Facebook Pages You Should Like

Facebook is often an immense black hole of trivial rubbish and mind-numbing drivel.

But that doesn’t stop us from using it all the time (well, me and about a billion other people). Certainly much good has come from the birth of this social media giant, but it’s also important to keep in mind that the site is highly addicting (internet equivalent of crack, I’d say) and often a counterproductive time-suck.

However, it is possible to transform those hours we all spend on Facebook into something positive and even enriching.

Consider setting a limit on how much time you spend on Facebook each day (the Chrome add-on ‘Web Timer’ and the apps ‘Cold Turkey’ for Windows or ‘SelfControl’ for Mac can help). You can use News Feed Eradicator to remove your newsfeed altogether.

You might want to ‘unfollow the posts’ of anyone from your newsfeed who isn’t either a close relation/loved one or a source of pertinent/stimulating content. I’ve literally hidden hundreds of “friends”, probably 95% of the people I’m connected to on Facebook (sorry guys).

Most importantly, ‘like’ pages that post excellent, mind-broadening content. Beware: ‘Liking’ too many such pages could turn your newsfeed into an over-saturated billboard of watered-down “wisdom.” However, if you pick and choose wisely, you’ll find that many pages post consistently thought-provoking, eye-opening stuff.

10 Mind-Broadening Facebook Pages

Consider “liking” a few of the following 10 pages, which I consider to be top-notch:

1. Aeon Magazine

Aeon is quite possibly my favorite online publication. They consistently publish some of the most well-written, fascinating, and thought-provoking essays I’ve ever read. I highly recommend letting their work expand your world.

2. Refine The Mind

The Refine The Mind page—the page of this very blog you’re reading—is filled with philosophical excerpts, profound and/or chuckle-worthy memes, insights on global issues, links to intriguing/important reads, and more. You can also follow Refine The Mind on Twitter and Instagram.

3. High Existence

HighExistence became one of my favorite websites a while ago (I’ve even written for them.). They explore the intersection of science, spirituality, philosophy, and self-development. And they post the dankest of memes.

4. Future of Life Institute

This remarkable organization has Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking on its board of directors. They focus on the relationship between emerging technologies, the preservation of humanity, and the future of all life on Earth.

5. Radically Enlightened

Radically Enlightened is one of my favorite lesser-known gems of the Internet multiverse. Dedicated to global activism and critical thought in the areas of current events, culture, spirituality, and philosophy.

6. Future Thinkers

Future Thinkers is a blog and podcast that is all about the future. I love their work. They cover everything from transhumanism and artificial intelligence to psychedelics and virtual reality, and so much more.

7. Give a Shit About Nature

When it comes to content related to environmental awareness, appreciation, and activism, Give a Shit About Nature really nails it. Furthermore, the page’s admin practices what he preaches, working on various philanthropic projects. He recently planted 25,000 trees after running a campaign on his page.

8. Futurism

Probably the best page on Facebook for keeping up with the very latest, cutting-edge breakthroughs in science and technology.

9. Church of the Nervous System

This is one of the most unique and world-expanding pages on Facebook. They share a poignant blend of art and literature that aims to capture the sublime and surreal.

10. The Life You Can Save

The Life You Can Save is a thought leader in the domain of effective altruism, global issues, and ending world poverty. I’m absolutely passionate about the effective altruism movement and highly encourage you to look into it. Here’s an intro I wrote to the movement.

11. Jordan Bates

That’s me. :] On my personal page I share all of the best and most important stuff I’m reading and thinking about. Thought-provoking quotes, memes, essays, podcasts, interviews, and more. You can ‘friend’ me on Facebook as well if you like, or follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

Note: Facebook’s latest algorithms will hide the content of pages that you follow from your newsfeed. To see more or all of what any of these pages post, you must either add them to an Interest List or “like” their content consistently.

Concluding Thoughts

I hope some of these pages appeal to you. I also hope that I’ve convinced you to use Facebook less and make better use of the time you do spend residing in its oft-devious clutches.

Also, if you eventually decide that Facebook just isn’t for you, that you cannot use it responsibly, WikiHow has an excellent article on ideas/tips for quitting the site.

Here’s to using the Internet as the amazing tool for world betterment that it can be, not as another flashy means of passing the time. Take care, friends.

Photo Credit: Duncan Hull