The R.E.M. legend says goodbye to Meta for a week, and he’s not pulling any punches about why.
Michael Stipe, the voice of R.E.M. and eternal rock-and-roll philosopher, has thrown down the gauntlet against Meta (formerly Facebook). He’s calling for a one-week boycott of all Meta platforms—from Instagram to WhatsApp—to protest the company’s alleged role in advancing far-right ideologies. His bold question: “Are we so addicted that we can’t log off for even a week?” Ouch, Michael. That one hits deep.
The “Lights Out Meta” Campaign
Stipe took to Instagram (ironically, yes) to announce his participation in the “Lights Out Meta” campaign, running from Jan. 19 to Jan. 26. The premise is simple: log out of all Meta platforms, including Facebook, Threads, Messenger, Giphy, and even Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. If you’ve been using those last ones, this might be your wake-up call.
“It’s so gross,” Stipe wrote in his post’s caption. “I’m really happy to step away for a week as some form of protest—and then I’ll come back and decide what to do from there.” Translation: This is just the warm-up act. Stay tuned for the encore.
What Triggered the Boycott?
This all comes hot on the heels of Meta’s decision to ditch its fact-checking program, claiming it was riddled with mistakes, censorship, and political bias. Instead, they’re adopting a “community notes” approach similar to X (formerly Twitter). Critics are already raising alarms, warning that this move could turn Facebook and Instagram into a playground for misinformation and extremism. Stipe, for one, isn’t here for it.
Stipe Isn’t Alone
The R.E.M. frontman isn’t the only rock icon ditching social media in protest. Robert Smith of The Cure announced his departure from X on the same day, opting for less chaotic platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky. “Otherwise, I will likely be outside,” Smith quipped, reminding us all that maybe touching grass isn’t such a bad idea.
Can Rock Icons Save Social Media?
Stipe’s pointed question—whether we’re too addicted to log off—strikes a nerve in an era where doomscrolling feels like a part-time job. Whether or not the “Lights Out Meta” campaign sparks lasting change, it’s a reminder that even in the digital age, rebellion isn’t dead. So, are you ready to unplug, or is the pull of cat videos and memes too strong?
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