The Death of the Newsfeed: Overload and the Tragedy of the Commons

The Death of the Newsfeed: Overload and the Tragedy of the Commons

In today's digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives. We use platforms like Facebook to connect with friends, share our thoughts, and stay up to date with the latest news and content. However, as our networks grow larger and the amount of information available to us increases exponentially, we are faced with a new problem - overload.

According to Benedict Evans, the death of the newsfeed can be attributed to Dunbar's number and Zuckerberg's law. Dunbar's number suggests that we can only maintain meaningful relationships with a limited number of people, typically around 150. However, on platforms like Facebook, we are often connected to hundreds, if not thousands, of people. This leads to a situation where we are constantly bombarded with updates from people we may not even know well enough to call friends.

This phenomenon is further exacerbated by Zuckerberg's law, which proposes that we share more and more on social media over time. The asymmetric nature of the newsfeed makes posting frequently seem normal rather than rude. Since we are posting to our own feed and not directly sending it to someone, it becomes acceptable to share a large volume of content, even if it is not particularly important.

This is where the tragedy of the commons comes into play. We are expected to post on social media, but by doing so, we overload each other's feeds. As a result, people's desires change, and they quickly become bored with the constant stream of information. In response, platforms like Facebook constantly change their algorithms in an attempt to cater to users' changing preferences.

Contrast this with Google, which shows us exactly what we want based on our search history. While this may seem like a more personalized and efficient approach, it raises questions about what Facebook should and should not show us. There are certain things that the platform "shouldn't" show us, even if our uncle or friends share them. The challenge lies in determining what those things are and who gets to decide. What does the weighting look like?

If the newsfeed is solely focused on "what do I want to see?" then it cannot fulfill its role of showing us what our friends want or need us to see. We swing from one kind of expression to another and back again, often losing sight of the true purpose of social media - genuine connection and meaningful interaction.

So, what can we do to combat the death of the newsfeed and the overload of information? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Curate your social media feeds: Take control of your newsfeed by curating the content you see. Unfollow accounts that no longer interest you or provide value. Prioritize posts from close friends and family, rather than acquaintances or distant connections.

2. Limit your time on social media: Set boundaries for yourself when it comes to social media usage. Allocate specific time slots for scrolling through your newsfeed and stick to them. This will help prevent information overload and allow you to focus on more meaningful activities.

3. Seek out alternative platforms: Consider exploring new platforms that prioritize quality over quantity. Platforms like Glasp.co, for example, offer a clean and highly usable interface for discovering and learning from others. By diversifying your social media presence, you can reduce the chances of getting overwhelmed by a single platform.

In conclusion, the death of the newsfeed is a result of the overload caused by Dunbar's number, Zuckerberg's law, and the tragedy of the commons. As users, it is essential for us to take control of our social media experience and find a balance between staying connected and avoiding information overload. By curating our feeds, limiting our time on social media, and exploring alternative platforms, we can navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media and regain a sense of genuine connection.