What Makes Social Media, Social Media?
What Makes Social Media, Social Media?

In short — People and communication.

Photo by ROBIN WORRALL on Unsplash

Social media is 90% social, 10% media. These technology platforms allow for infinite power and reach. Our work can reach millions within a fraction of a second after hitting the “Post” button. More people can access our work concurrently, and more than ever before.

As much as I see the technological prowess which connects millions at any particular point in time, many see the good and the dark side of social media.

Let me stick to the technological layer for a bit before I touch on the social element.

These web and mobile applications have a wider outreach compared to any physical platforms we knew. Television, billboards, and posters have one thing in common.

They cannot move.

Smart devices can move. Through these physical proxies we carry with us like our wallets, the social media platforms follow us wherever we go.

Getting our attention is one vibration away. Visual assaults or on-air commercials could only be envious of their younger but more powerful step siblings.

Now, leaving the technology layer aside. The social element makes up the social media we know today.

If we could examine all those platforms we are involved in, we can find a common thread. They are designed to facilitate and exaggerate communication.

Like a trendy drama, the main cast is ridiculously handsome, rich beyond means, taller than an NBA player, gyms, have eyes like a hawk, and can run like a cheetah.

When we engage in social media, we express our love equivalent to the magnitude of an earthquake. We comment to approval, like, share, and funneling in others based on tagging on that same post.

That’s social media.

The dark side of social media is manifested in communication as well.

I think an influencer can bury those they dislike. This is nothing new. In a corporate setting, those on top could end the career of a certain someone at the operational level.

In that sense, humans are humans. We carry the same behavior wherever we go.

What social media actually does is to extend the reach of our behavioral and communication patterns beyond our physical boundaries.

We can send our love to a child in Siberia instantaneously. We can also continue to destroy that person we hate no matter where they escape to. Zambia or Columbia doesn’t matter. The throttling continues so long as social media accounts are alive.

This is something that we have to adapt to in the 21st century. Social media will continue to evolve, and we have to learn to deal with it.

That is the same with dealing with difficult people, annoying friends, and seemingly scheming adversaries.

In that sense, social media is as normal as it is novel.

This is the social media we know today.

Social Media Is A Reflection Of Social Element,

Aldric
['Aldric Chen']
['Communication', 'People', 'Personal Development', 'Technology', 'Social Media']