Authenticity + Capitalism

As someone who has grown up with the evolution of social media, I think this lingering feeling that “social media is dying” can all be traced back to the flaws of late stage capitalism. 

The age of the Internet, of Myspace, early Facebook and Instagram, always was rooted in a place of sharing and connecting. 

Our Instagram feed was the food we had for dinner, the walk we went on, the sunset. 

It was a way for us to share about our day, stay connected to each other, and find inspiration (Pinterest + Tumblr).

And then, the age of performance took over. 

As soon as Instagram learned they could make money from the platform, it’s like the energy of the platform itself changed. 

Creators started monetizing and businesses began selling. 

Everything became a performance. 

Click bait that has now evolved into rage baiting to get people to view and engage with your video so you can make money has become way too much of the norm. 

That now going on social media is exhausting and draining. 

“Something I don’t hear people talking about…”

“I don’t know who needs to hear this” 

has stolen our authenticity in sharing our thoughts and ideas. 

I recently went on to Youtube, a platform I used to love and spend hours on, and I was quickly reminded why I stopped.  A platform where the original “click bait” started. The amount of ads throughout videos and people using key phrases to get people to stay and watch started bleeding inauthenticity. 

And I think that’s why we have all become so burnt out with social media. 

And I get it, I’m a business owner, and social media for the longest time was where I got most of my business from. 

I don’t fault these creators. They followed trends and did what they needed to do to make a living. We all have to pay our bills somehow. 

AND

The lack of authenticity and overly consumption based/capitalist approach, in my opinion, is what ruined social media. 

Social media used to be a place we could share. 

We had Xanga and Live Journals putting our innermost thoughts out on the Internet for all to read. 

We shared Facebook photo dumps of 200+ photos of our weekends, never caring if it was too much or aesthetically pleasing. They were our memories, and I’m so grateful I have so much documentation of my 20s.

We followed people on Instagram who posted aesthetic photos of their tea, or their book, or the yarn weaving they made. 

It was rooted in this desire to share and inspire. Not a desire to perform and/or receive validation. 

And I think that’s what we’re all truly missing and craving. The authenticity that social media once was. 

The connection and community and ability to learn from and be inspired by others, not sold to. 

Late stage capitalism has created this giant wall and barrier between us all in some way or another. And while I can identify the problem, I can’t yet see the solution.

Even I have often thought that Little Moon should be a 3rd space, not something hidden behind a pay wall. It’s something that we all deeply need and rent in Denver is expensive. 

We’ve become so highly individualistic and separate, but yet, we’re all craving depth and community. 

I know people working 3-5 jobs just in order to afford this city and be comfortable. And, the time it takes to maintain healthy, deep connections, they just don’t have time or energy stores for. 

It’s a broken system, not an individual failure. 

But it’s really crazy to have lived since 2006 Facebook. To watch the rise and fall of so many different platforms. And to see how most of them have been destroyed by greed and/or inauthenticity. 

So many people reflect on Instagram being ruined the second it tried being like other platforms. 

I remember when they introduced DMs, and a lot of people hated it. People thought stories were weird at first, and questioned “why would I want to know what someone is doing every second of the day.” And now stories are pretty much the only feature that people still regularly use. 

Evolution of platforms and businesses will always occur. People will stay, and people will go. 

And, there is a deeper trait that used to naturally be infused in all that we did that seems to be hidden nowadays. And in my opinion, it’s authenticity and a desire to share vulnerably and openly. 

That’s why I think circles have had such longevity as a part of my business model. 

People desire to share.

They desire to be seen, heard, and held.

They want to talk about their thoughts and feelings and have people listen and reflect back – instead of hitting the deafening silence that social media has become. 

And this is also why I’ve shifted back to writing on the blog, no longer caring about likes or if what I write resonates or brings me leads for coaching… just sharing because I too love sharing and communing with others. 

I love hearing people’s thoughts and ideas and talking about subjects that don’t even have answers. 

Sharing on Instagram subconsciously became a performance for me too. Writing became a tool for teaching, yes, but also for trying to convert. 

I’ve written since I was 12 years old. It’s not why I write, and it probably wreaked of authenticity. 

Social media also took a turn during Covid. 

It was once a place where we could continue to connect in between connecting in person. 

And during lockdown, it became our only outlet for connection, thus creating a lasting pattern for some that replaced actual in person community and connection.

The lasting impacts from Covid have been crazy to see as well, but that’s another conversation for another time. 

I feel like awareness often is the precursor to true change. 

If anything, I hope this awareness lights a fire for us to a return to true connection, regardless of the method.