Postmodernity: Where has Meaning & Purpose Gone? Shedding More Light on How Instagram Works

Postmodernity: Where has Meaning & Purpose Gone? Shedding More Light on How Instagram Works

In our modern world, where technology and social media dominate our lives, we find ourselves grappling with a loss of meaning and purpose. This loss is not solely due to the advancements in technology, but also the rejection of culture and the diminishing of our identity.

Culture has always played a vital role in society. It is through the passing down of cultural traditions, values, and stories that we find meaning and purpose. When a society fails to pass the torch of culture to the next generation, it is essentially saying that the foundational principles that make the society what it is are no longer valid.

Today, we are experiencing a cultural collapse, which can be described as an "inward homelessness." This collapse is happening within us, as we reject the cultural narratives that once gave us a sense of identity. In losing our spiritual and faith-based identity, we have become lost ourselves. We are searching for a new identity, but in doing so, we have neglected to pass on the culture that once gave us meaning and purpose.

The same can be said for the digital world we inhabit. Instagram, one of the most popular social media platforms, has its own set of algorithms and processes that determine what content we see. Instagram's goal is to provide users with a personalized experience, showing them what they care about most.

In the Feed section of Instagram, posts are ranked based on various signals. These signals include information about the post, the person who posted it, your activity on the app, and your history of interacting with someone. The interactions that are closely examined include how likely you are to spend time on a post, comment on it, like it, save it, or tap on the profile photo. The more likely you are to take an action, the higher the post will be ranked in your feed.

Explore, another section of Instagram, is designed for users to discover new content. Here, the predictions made by the algorithms focus on how likely you are to like, save, and share posts. The algorithm takes into account information about the post, your history of interacting with the person who posted it, your activity on the app, and the person who posted it.

Reels, a feature on Instagram, is meant to entertain users. The predictions made by the algorithm for Reels focus on how likely you are to watch a reel all the way through, like it, find it entertaining or funny, and visit the audio page. Again, the algorithm considers your activity on the app, your history of interacting with the person who posted the reel, information about the reel itself, and information about the person who posted it.

While these algorithms and processes aim to provide a personalized experience for users, they cannot guarantee that every post will reach the same number of people. In fact, most of your followers may not even see what you share, as they only look at less than half of their feed.

So, what can we do in the face of this loss of meaning and purpose in both our cultural and digital lives? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace and Pass on Cultural Traditions: Take the time to learn about your cultural heritage and pass it on to the next generation. By preserving and sharing cultural traditions, we can find a sense of identity and meaning.

2. Seek Authentic Connections: In the digital world, it is easy to get caught up in the pursuit of likes and followers. Instead, focus on building genuine connections with others. Engage in meaningful conversations and support each other's creative endeavors.

3. Create Meaningful Content: Instead of chasing algorithms and trying to please everyone, create content that is meaningful to you. Share your passions, thoughts, and experiences. Authenticity and genuine expression will resonate with others who share similar values and interests.

In conclusion, the loss of meaning and purpose in our postmodern society is a result of rejecting culture and diminishing our identity. Both in our cultural and digital lives, we must strive to preserve and pass on traditions, seek authentic connections, and create meaningful content. By doing so, we can reclaim a sense of purpose and find meaning in our ever-changing world.