The Evolution of Social Media and the Role of Digital Legacy

The Evolution of Social Media and the Role of Digital Legacy

Introduction:

In today's digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives. Platforms like Facebook have revolutionized the way we connect and share information. However, with the exponential growth of content on these platforms, the traditional newsfeed model is facing challenges. At the same time, individuals are increasingly concerned about leaving a digital legacy for future generations. In this article, we will explore the changing dynamics of the newsfeed and the concept of digital legacy, and how they intersect in our evolving social media landscape.

The Death of the Newsfeed:

According to Facebook, the average user is eligible to see over 1,500 items per day in their newsfeed. This overload is a result of Dunbar's number, which suggests that we have a limited capacity to maintain meaningful relationships with a large number of people. Additionally, Zuckerberg's law implies that people are sharing more and more on social media over time. As a consequence, our newsfeeds have become a random sample of content, lacking chronological relevance. To address this issue, Facebook introduced the algorithmic feed, attempting to personalize the content users see based on their preferences. However, perfecting this algorithm is challenging, as people's desires and interests constantly evolve.

The Challenge of Building a Digital Legacy:

Living a courageous life and leaving a meaningful legacy is a universal aspiration. Kazuki Nakayashiki, co-founder of Glasp, believes that the greatest legacy is to share knowledge, wisdom, and history for the benefit of future generations. Glasp aims to democratize access to other people's learning and experiences, combating the isolation of knowledge. By curating and managing content, Glasp offers a unique approach to knowledge sharing and community building.

The Role of Curation and Community:

Glasp's focus on curation, knowledge management, and community sets it apart. The platform allows users to backlink their findings with past highlights, creating a connected knowledge web. By connecting with others who share similar interests, users can learn from each other's highlights and notes. Glasp addresses the challenge of bookmarking and highlighting by encouraging users to select and store only the most important information, raising the threshold for action. The social accountability that comes with public highlights further motivates users to engage with the content.

Visualizing Digital Legacy:

Glasp envisions a future where a person's digital legacy becomes a contribution to human society. By visualizing how knowledge is passed down through generations, similar to a family tree, Glasp aims to showcase the impact individuals have on shaping the collective knowledge of humanity. This visualization allows users to see the connections between sources of information and how their own contributions are perpetuated over time. It creates a moving and inspiring narrative of the transmission of knowledge.

Actionable Advice:

• 1. Embrace the concept of digital legacy: Reflect on the knowledge, experiences, and insights you have accumulated and consider how they can benefit future generations. Start curating and sharing your wisdom through platforms like Glasp or other note-taking apps.

• 2. Select quality over quantity: When bookmarking and highlighting content, be mindful of the importance and relevance of the information. Avoid creating a graveyard of random links and focus on storing valuable insights that contribute to your digital legacy.

• 3. Engage in communities of shared interests: Join communities and connect with like-minded individuals who can enrich your learning journey. By sharing highlights and notes, you not only contribute to the collective knowledge but also gain inspiration and feedback from others.

Conclusion:

As social media continues to evolve, we are witnessing a shift in focus from the newsfeed to curated content and digital legacies. The challenges of information overload and knowledge isolation are being addressed by platforms like Glasp, which prioritize quality, community engagement, and the visualization of knowledge transmission. By embracing the concept of digital legacy and actively curating and sharing valuable insights, we can contribute to the enrichment of human knowledge and leave a lasting impact for future generations.