The Power and Pitfalls of Learning in Public and the Changing Landscape of Social Media Feeds

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Jul 12, 2023
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The Power and Pitfalls of Learning in Public and the Changing Landscape of Social Media Feeds
Introduction:
In today's digital age, where social media platforms dominate our online interactions, there is a growing trend towards learning in public and the challenges that come with it. This article explores the importance of building and sharing our progress, tapping into the collective intelligence of our network, and the evolving nature of social media feeds.
Learning in Public:
Our fear of judgment often leads us to keep our learning, building, and thinking private. However, seeking validation should not be the goal of learning in public. Instead, it should be about harnessing the power of constructive feedback loops from our network. By working on projects we own and sharing our progress, we can track our learning journey effectively. As the saying goes, "If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late." Learning in public may be scary, but it is during this vulnerable phase that we can gain the most valuable insights.
The Death of the Newsfeed:
The rise of social media platforms like Facebook has revolutionized the way we consume and share information. However, the concept of Dunbar's number and Zuckerberg's law has led to an overwhelming overload of content in our newsfeeds. Dunbar's number suggests that we can only maintain meaningful relationships with a limited number of people, yet social media encourages us to friend hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals. This overload leads to the tragedy of the commons, where the quantity of posts outweighs their quality.
The Tragedy of the Commons:
Social media platforms like Facebook have created an asymmetric feed that normalizes frequent posting. Instead of explicitly sending content to specific individuals, we share it with our entire network. This leads to an abundance of less important posts flooding our feeds. People's desires change, and they grow bored of certain content, forcing platforms like Facebook to constantly adjust the content mix to reflect these shifting preferences. However, the lack of a direct signal from users makes it challenging for Facebook to determine what should or shouldn't be shown.
The Changing Landscape:
While platforms like Google can tailor search results to precisely match our preferences, social media platforms struggle to strike a balance between personalization and relevance. The feed's focus should ideally be on what we want to see, but this conflicts with what our friends may want or need us to see. As a result, we witness a constant swing between different types of expression on social media feeds. This changing landscape has led some to believe that we may be moving away from the traditional newsfeed format altogether.
Actionable Advice:
- 1. Embrace vulnerability: Overcome the fear of judgment and embrace the power of learning in public. Share your progress and seek feedback from your network to enhance your learning journey.
- 2. Curate your feed: Take control of the content you consume by curating your social media feed. Unfollow accounts that do not add value to your learning or personal growth. Prioritize quality over quantity.
- 3. Seek diverse perspectives: Expand your network and engage with individuals from different backgrounds and expertise. Embracing diverse perspectives can enrich your learning experience and challenge your assumptions.
Conclusion:
Learning in public offers tremendous opportunities to tap into the collective intelligence of our network and accelerate our personal growth. By building and sharing our progress, we can create valuable feedback loops that enhance our learning journey. However, the evolving nature of social media feeds presents challenges in managing content overload and maintaining relevance. By curating our feeds and seeking diverse perspectives, we can navigate the changing landscape of social media and make the most of our online learning experiences.
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