Bird in the Sky
a social media debacle
At a recent networking event, the discussion around what we are all doing now that Twitter is f***ed came up (again). Rightly so too, as there are so many of us—who had found meaningful connections and opportunities—at a lost of what to do or where to go. In an attempt to move on with our lives, many from Twitter migrated (some partially, others fully) to Bluesky, but it’s not the same.
Polymedia users
There is a good introduction to the theory of polymedia on the UCL website, so I won’t go too much into it, but I will highlight the following quote from it:
As the choice of medium acquires communicative intent, navigating the environment of polymedia becomes inextricably linked to the ways in which interpersonal relationships are experienced and managed. Polymedia is ultimately about a new relationship between the social and the technological, rather than merely a shift in the technology itself.
What we don’t delve much into when we choose/use a social media platform is our relationship with it. There is so much that goes on subconsciously that affects how we pick and use social media platforms. What’s our first impression of it. Do we like/enjoy the UI? What is the community like when we interact there? What do we think others’ perception of it is like? Even things like the branding, who introduced it to us, and so much more, comes into consideration.
My social media experience
I would consider myself to be a moderate/competent social media user—mostly using it to stay in touch with friends and maintain my communities and networks. I’m terrible at using it to market or promote myself mostly because I do not have the stamina to drive the frequency that algorithms require. I also do not like plastering the same posts on platforms just to get reach.
Considering this, I’m finding it hard to use both Bluesky and Twitter concurrently because I will not post the exact same texts on different platforms. I tried this in the past when I used to schedule posts for all platforms and I hated it. However, I’ve still not grasped what my Bluesky persona and relationships are to find my voice on it. At the same time, because some of my Twitter network is still around, tweets are still welcomed, but there is also so much more unwanted noise there that I hardly check in on it anymore.
I think the limited licenses available from Bluesky during its early days affected its membership recruitment. In trying to maintain integrity, which is not something to scoff at, its selectiveness inadvertently made it a privileged platform. It lacked the open (free?) space that made social media platforms a natural networking space. Whether this would change now that it is an open platform, time will only tell.
No birds, no sky
As I write this post, I can see two crows viciously attacking a magpie (who had somehow ended on on its back) in the garden across the road. I wonder if that’s an omen! And for those of you who are curious about what happened next, a third crow joined in, but thankfully, after a couple of minutes, the magpie managed to get away.
I live mostly on YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn at the moment, but I’m finding that none of these platforms generate or promote the same kind of thoughtful engagement that Twitter used to. Discord servers are a good alternative, but they’re a bit more work since every server’s purpose is so specialised.
Where do you live in the digital socialsphere? What are your relationships like with the bird and the sky? I would love to know.
🌸 As I go into a new phase in my life having just finished my postgraduate degree, I will be thinking about how to reframe this newsletter so that I am able to publish more consistently. If you have any requests or thoughts on what you would like to read from me, I am all ears! 🌽
