Oh, where do I even begin with this? Social media today has become a never-ending whirlpool of opinions, a battleground for differing viewpoints. We're caught in a loop of consuming and sharing thoughts, ideas, predictions – it's all opinions, opinions, and more opinions. Whether it's Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or any other platform, that's the fabric of social media right now. But something's missing, isn't it?
What strikes me is the irony in the term "social network." Despite the label, it often feels like we're missing out on real, meaningful communication about relational data. There's a shortage of content that's truly useful for the network's growth, learning, and wisdom. Instead, we've built a sort of "cybernetic organism" that prioritizes inflammatory opinions, but where's the signal about who's making a difference in people's lives?
People have so much more to offer than just their opinions. There's value in their actions, contributions, and the impact they make on others' lives. Sometimes, it's the famous folks leading the way, sharing valuable insights, but the methods for appreciating and acknowledging these contributions are limited and indirect.
Take this example: If you want to tell your network about someone who's done something incredible, you're forced to write a post, praising them. It feels like a roundabout way to convey something that should be simple and direct.
I mean, why isn't there a native way to do this?
This is where the idea of “relational data primitives” comes in. I see it as a call to action for developers to create social network systems that simplify the process of highlighting relationships, attributing credibility, and acknowledging specific attributes within the network.
Wouldn't it be something if we could directly broadcast specifics our relationships with different people? To have an immediate way to showcase who has a certain skill set, who's made significant contributions, or what resources are most valuable?
We need to move beyond the basic "follow" dynamics and create next gen social networking platforms that allow us to make legible the relationships between different people.
To me, it's time for a shift, a change in how we view social networking. Let's create platforms that recognize the nuances of human connections, the intricate web of relationships that shape our lives, and make them a native part of our online experience.
- Who trusts who?
- Who has contributed recently to whose missions?
- Who is quickly gaining credibility on a specific topic?
Easily being able to answer these kinds of questions is the future of social networking as I see it – more personal, more meaningful, and filled with the substance that truly reflects the network of human experience.