From Connections to Commodification: Navigating the Algorithmic Shift in Social Media
The dynamic landscape of social media has evolved drastically over the years, transforming platforms initially designed for social interaction into complex ecosystems where algorithms reign supreme. This shift from communal engagement to engagement optimization has bred a contentious discourse on the implications of social platforms on societal norms and individual behavior.
In the early days of platforms like MySpace, early Facebook, and rudimentary versions of Instagram, social media served as a digital extension of the community. Users were primarily engaged in sharing updates and narratives with friends and sometimes strangers, fostering genuine connections. The emphasis was on interaction and communication rather than the consumption of content—an ethos driven by a chronological feed that mirrored the authentic flow of human interaction.