We're More Social Than Ever

The future of media is changing. It's moving beyond just sharing information to creating meaningful connections and immersive experiences in digital spaces.

Why Change is Needed

Think about it: ? a lot of the social media experience is passive. ?

You're scrolling through posts, consuming content, adding comments or ??s to threads, or viewing moments from the past.

Most content is created for long-term asynchronous consumption. You're often catching up on things rather than experiencing them in real-time.

That's because a lot of social media strategies focus on distributing content like infotainment, webinars, downloads, and creating moments of event FOMO with video highlights and press releases.

UNLESS ? you find an active Twitter Chat, Watch Party Stream, or LinkedIn LIVE.

Even then, you're experiencing content from a distance—and the social engagement is limited. You might encourage the host with reactions and ask questions, but it lacks the depth of in-person experiences.

You wouldn't say, ? I was there, ? but rather, I heard, I saw or I learnt this.

Social media lets us see what happened; spatial networks let us be there as it happens.

Evolution of Media Consumption

This shift is part of an ongoing trend ??.

Originally, media was a one-way street where information flowed from a single source to a passive audience. You’d watch TV shows, listen to radio broadcasts, or read newspapers without any way to interact or respond.

With the rise of the internet, social media platforms began to offer more two-way interactions. People could comment, share, and connect with fellow content creators and other users.

This made media consumption more interactive, but engagement is still largely disconnected—most people interact at different times rather than in real-time.

Have you noticed a growing trend of your community wanting to be part of the lived moment, and not just a spectator?

Evolution of Digital Spaces

Spatial digital environments aren't new.

Digital spaces have been around for a long time through platforms like Second Life, which paved the way for today's immersive social platforms.

These new social spaces offer something traditional social media doesn't: an immersive experience, a sense of presence, of body language, and real-time communications.

Spatial technology bring much of the complexity and depth found in physical interactions into the digital realm.

I like to use the term ? Immersive Digital Spaces ? to emphasize these experiences aren't just about virtual reality. This clears up concerns about always needing expensive VR gear.

Many of these apps offer cross-platform options.

You can join on your phone, tablet, computer, browser with WebVR, or use a VR headset. Which makes these social spaces inclusive and accessible, so everyone can join in, no matter what tech they have.

Rise of Digital Spaces for Community

Spatial networking is the next step in digital interactions.

These new digital spaces are interactive and immersive, enabling real-time engagement with the environment and others.

Meaning, you can engage directly, feel the presence of others around you, and participate actively with the content, fellow guests, the environment, and everything included in the immersive digital experience.

In summary!

Spatial computing makes digital communications feel more ? Present. ?

Ways to Engage Your Virtual Audience:

1. Live Conversations: Chat in real-time using voice or text.
2. Virtual Events: Attend or host interactive events like conferences or meetups.
3. Collaborative Projects: Work together on projects in a shared virtual space.
4. Interactive Activities: Join games, workshops, or creative sessions.

OKAY, But What Does All This Mean?

Let's dive into a practical and simple example.

If you have a hard time conceptualizing the term ? Metaverse, ? think of it as an immersive social network. It's like a 3D Twitter Chat where people gather for specific or random interactions, engaging with content, people, and ideas, and contributing their own.

Spatial networks are ? places to go, ? whether they are public spaces open to the global network or curated private spaces with a set group of participants.

Imagine you are attending a conference in a virtual space. Here's how it works:

1. Joining the Event: Receive an invite link and join using your phone, tablet, computer, or VR headset.
2. Creating Your Avatar: Create a personalized avatar to represent you.
3. Exploring the Environment: Move around freely, explore booths, and see live keynotes and panels on virtual stages.
4. Engaging in Real-Time: Start conversations with representatives using voice or text chat. Attend live presentations and ask questions in real-time.
5. Networking with Others: Join group discussions, break-out sessions, or casual lounges to network with other attendees.
6. Collaborative Activities: Participate in interactive workshops, labs, or masterclasses with industry thought leaders.
7. Immersive Experiences: Enjoy interactive art exhibits, virtual field trips, 5 à 7s, and after-parties.

Sounds pretty familiar? ??

Essentially, spatial networking turn online interactions into rich, engaging experiences. It's not just watching a screen; it's being part of the moment and interacting like in physical scenarios.

Creating Your Own Public Spaces

I think one of the most exciting aspects of spatial networks is empowering people and youth with the tools to create their own public spaces for their media and community—spaces where ideas can grow, connections can happen, and important projects can come to life.

For example, you can create:

• A community space to launch your book.
• An event space to host a conference and invite thought leaders.
• A fireside chat for in-depth conversations with smaller groups.
• A virtual art exhibition to showcase and sell artworks.
• An immersive experience to inspire awe and wonder.
• A theatre for hosting plays & performances.
• A space for entrepreneurs to collaborate, pitch ideas, and receive mentorship.
• An immersive learning space to unpack complex notions.
• A gathering for language learners to practice and converse with native speakers worldwide.
• A community space for pure social fun and games.

Seeking Deeper Connections

In an age of hyper distractions, we're looking for hyper connection.

Today's world is full of distractions, with constant information and notifications. In this environment, people want deeper, more meaningful connections. They crave authenticity and real engagement beyond superficial social interactions.

The quest for ? Real ? is at the forefront of our social interactions.

Why This Shift?

1. Information Overload: "The average American consumes 34 gigabytes of content and 100,000 words of information in a single day." (University of California, San Diego)
2. Social Media Fatigue: The curated, often superficial nature of social media leaves many feeling disconnected with reality: "more time spent on social media was associated with higher levels of loneliness." (National Library of Medicine)
3. Desire for Authenticity: 86% of people say authenticity is important when choosing which brands to support. In a time of quick gratification and curated posts, people long for the "real and organic." (Social Media Today)
4. Human Connection: "Close relationships, more than money or fame, are key to happiness." (Harvard study on adult development)

The digital facade of perfection on social media is tiring. People seek real-life experiences and connections. We want personal partnerships, community involvement, and shared experiences.

We Want ? Real ? Moments

Authenticity is now the gold standard.

In a time of quick gratification and curated social media posts, people long for genuine conversations and true relationships. We seek personal partnerships, community involvement, and shared experiences.

The quest for "real" is at the forefront of our social interactions.

What Does ? Real ? Mean?

? Real ? extends beyond the physical to include digital, virtual, and augmented realities. It’s about the feelings and connections that arise from our interactions and experiences, blending the tangible with the intangible.

Behind every avatar and headset is a real person, making these interactions meaningful.

Common Misconceptions

I hear a lot of people saying that ? physical is the new digital. ? And I feel like they're missing the mark when they compare an on-site experience with a digital conferencing tool like Zoom.

Digital isn't competing with physical experiences; it's about making experiences more accessible and connecting you to a global network—and one you may already have with your social media networks.

Not everyone can afford to rent an event salon for 10,000 people or more. Yet, I was able to host a Winter Wonderland Festival in Rec Room and attract over 100,000 visitors.

There's a rising sustainable economy here that shouldn't be ignored, especially as it'll probably be youth's first job and experience in the workforce.

For example, IKEA is hiring youth for their new virtual store in Roblox.

From Passive Consumer to Active Participant

In immersive realities, we are active participants, shaping our experiences in real-time. While social media focuses on content exchange, spatial networks emphasize creating real-time, immersive interactions within virtual environments.

Embracing the Future of Digital Interactions

In short, the evolution of media and digital spaces offers new ways to connect, interact, and build communities. These immersive environments provide real-time engagement, authenticity, and meaningful connections beyond traditional social media.

Takeaway Questions:

• What types of events or activities could you host?
• What particular niche or industry are you looking to connect with?
• What parts of your conference can be hosted in virtual reality?
• What kind of training workshops could you scale and automate in virtual reality?
• What activities or events can you host to make your remote team feel included and interconnected?
• What devices does your team commonly use?
• How can virtual events be used for marketing, and what kind of thought leaders would you want to invite?
• How can you use virtual reality to attract international talent, especially youth?

If you have any questions or curiosities! Find me on LinkedIn :)

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