The future of social is Bringing People Together. This statement holds true as we look back at the evolution of social media platforms. In the early days, the tools were rudimentary, and the builders were naively optimistic that a more open and connected world would lead to a better world since everyone had a voice. However, as time passed, we witnessed a shift in how people interacted on social media.
Hatched by Kazuki Nakayashiki
Aug 14, 2023
4 min read
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The future of social is Bringing People Together. This statement holds true as we look back at the evolution of social media platforms. In the early days, the tools were rudimentary, and the builders were naively optimistic that a more open and connected world would lead to a better world since everyone had a voice. However, as time passed, we witnessed a shift in how people interacted on social media.
Likes and follows became the currency of validation, and people started molding their online personas to fit a certain image. Genuine self-expression took a backseat as social interactions turned into social competitions. In an attempt to address this issue, Facebook has recently repositioned its efforts around more private communications. The idea is that in private conversations, people express more of their true selves and share more authentically than they do on their feeds or "media channels."
The main revenue driver for top social companies today is advertising, and a significant factor in determining ad revenue is the time users spend on the app. This has led to the creation of zero-sum business models, where the goal is to keep users engaged for as long as possible. However, this focus on time spent on the app has further contributed to the distorted nature of social interactions.
So, what is the solution? The next wave of social products will not revolve around "media," but rather around experiences. This shift from media-centric platforms to experience-centric ones holds immense potential. Instead of competing for attention through likes and followers, social platforms can facilitate real-life experiences that bring people together.
Imagine going to a concert with your friends, sharing a meal, or simply hanging out at someone's apartment. These are the moments that truly matter, both in the best of times and the worst of times. These real-life experiences create lasting memories and foster genuine connections among individuals. Connection and inclusion are key in building a social platform that truly brings people together.
Moreover, it is essential to recognize that social media is not the sole solution to building connections. Offline interactions play a crucial role in strengthening relationships and fostering a sense of community. The future of social should aim to bridge the gap between the online and offline worlds, complementing each other rather than replacing one another.
In a similar vein, Jeff Hawkins, in his book "A Thousand Brains," explores the concept of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and its relationship with the human brain. He argues that the neocortex, the organ responsible for intelligence, is the key to understanding AGI. Hawkins emphasizes that almost all the capabilities we associate with intelligence, such as vision, language, music, math, science, and engineering, are created by the neocortex.
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