The Death of the Newsfeed and the Importance of Community Engagement

The Death of the Newsfeed and the Importance of Community Engagement

Introduction:
In today's digital age, social media platforms have become an integral part of our lives. We constantly scroll through our newsfeeds, absorbing an overwhelming amount of information. However, recent discussions on the death of the newsfeed and the concept of karma on platforms like Facebook and Reddit have sparked a reevaluation of our online interactions. In this article, we will explore the relationship between Dunbar's number, Zuckerberg's law, the tragedy of the commons, and the significance of community engagement in shaping our online experiences.

Dunbar's Number and Zuckerberg's Law:
Dunbar's number suggests that we can only maintain meaningful relationships with a limited number of individuals, estimated to be around 150. However, Zuckerberg's law implies that we are inclined to share more and more on social media over time. This combination inevitably leads to overload. The asymmetry of the newsfeed makes frequent posting seem normal instead of rude, as we believe we are sharing with our entire network rather than directly targeting individuals. Consequently, we inundate each other's feeds, resulting in an overwhelming amount of content.

The Tragedy of the Commons:
The tragedy of the commons is a concept that explains how shared resources can be depleted or destroyed due to individuals' self-interest. In the context of the newsfeed, we are expected to post and share content, but this collective action often leads to an overload of information for our friends and followers. As people's desires change and they grow bored of certain content, social media platforms like Facebook constantly adjust their algorithms to reflect these shifting preferences. However, the challenge lies in determining what content should be displayed and who should make that decision.

The Role of Personalization and Engagement:
In contrast to Google's search engine, which shows us exactly what we want based on our explicit search queries, Facebook lacks a direct signal to determine our preferences. This absence creates a dilemma for the platform as it strives to balance personalization with the need to cater to the desires and needs of our friends and network. There is a constant swing between prioritizing "what do I want to see?" and "what do my friends want or need me to see?" This dichotomy raises questions about the future of the newsfeed and whether we are moving away from this model altogether.

The Significance of Karma on Reddit:
On Reddit, another popular social platform, users are encouraged to contribute to the community and engage in discussions. Karma, a system that reflects the value of one's contributions, plays a crucial role in shaping one's reputation. However, the key to accumulating karma lies not in setting out to gain points but in being a good person and contributing meaningful content. Karma, in this sense, becomes a reflection of one's legacy within the Reddit community.