Let's Avoid the Digital Dark Ages, with Non-Toxic Social Media

The original Dark Ages was a period of economic, intellectual and cultural decline between the 5th and 14th centuries, and towards the end of it, there was a pandemic: The Black Plague. Part of the reason it was called the Dark Ages is because there was relatively little scientific and cultural advancement.

In the 21st Century, we face the real prospect of a similar Dark Ages; not because of a lack of scientific or cultural advancement. On the contrary: exactly because our society has become so advanced, we generate a great deal of data. But because the formats that we store our data in are in flux, many of our most precious digital artifacts are in danger of becoming lost in digital oblivion.

Companies make it as easy as possible to put data onto their platforms, but if you want to move your data off, or to a different platform, it's not as easy. (Q: does this have anything to do with the fact that companies would rather have your data on the platform to leverage for monetization? A: Yes)

In Medieval times, it was primarily only the elite who could read or write, and it wasn’t until the 15th century that books became more widely available. Now with the advent of personal computers and smartphones, more people than ever publish information, including precious digital artifacts such as stories and pictures.

We keep personal and private notes, diaries and digital albums of pictures, as well as video and audio recordings. And as people pass on, we increasingly inherit computers that are officially antiques, as well as digital media that is also antique, and in some cases in an inaccessible format.

There has been a phenomena during the pandemic of people “de-cluttering”, and some of the most precious items we have from a person’s life are their artifacts, physical or digital.

For example, computers themselves are becoming antiques; here is a computer I inherited from my grandfather:

But what if we are not even sure how to access a given device or storage medium, in any of the countless formats that were used, but are no longer used?

It’s not just a personal issue – communities have heritage too. Corporations and government agencies face the same thing, as mergers and modernization force them to face the myriad of devices and formats that data exist in.

If we don’t take action, a large part of our society and civilization will slip into oblivion, including the personal heritage that can help future generations find their roots, and stand tall during difficult times, when they read how their ancestors faced difficult times: such as the pandemic we are currently in.

There is a need for three things: digital vellum, data archaeology, and non-toxic social media.

Digital Vellum

Digital vellum is an umbrella term coined by Vint Cerf, who is recognized as one of the creators of the Internet. Vint co-developed the TCP/IP protocol with Bob Kahn, and he has also spoken of the potential for a Digital Dark Ages. The original “vellum” was the material that scribes would use to hand copy books and preserve knowledge. Developing a digital vellum would mean fully exploring how to provide continuity for data, for the benefit of all human civilization. It would mean drawing together existing technology and developing new technology, such as formats that can withstand the elements: on this planet or another one.?

There is a need to ask and answer questions like these, considering future generations: Is your current smartphone going to be accessible in 100 years? Are the data centers that we entrust so much of our lives completely free from the possibility of failure? Is there a chance that a particularly bad solar flare could cause a significant loss of data on a planetary scale? What kind of storage and systems could allow for continuity?

Data Archaeology

In addition to digital vellum, there is a need for a new field: data archaeology. Data archaeologists could help people and corporations do what libraries often do: digital preservation. Libraries can be great partners in the process; but we need to help identify the best ways for people to capture, preserve and share their digital artifacts, on their own terms, and to create accessible tools to help them in the process.

Here is a screenshot of a simple tool that I suggested in 2010, in the first book for a general audience to cover multiple social networks:

I continue to see evidence of a need for tools to help people gather and curate their life stories. I've been a bit surprised that aren't any widely available integrated services that include tools like these and the ability to move your data wherever you want, including off the Internet entirely, or onto your own personal cloud. And I don't mean just backing things up - there's a need for curation, to help people tell their stories. It seems like enough people would want to try it that it could be sustainable.

Data overload challenge solved: human facilitators + AI. Part of the reason it is challenging to curate digital artifacts is because we have so much data: pictures, text, videos, etc. and the predominant algorithms amplify quantity, controversy, whatever gets clicks, whatever drives ad revenue, ultimately. One could say the status quo is revenue-centric. But a human-centric approach could focus on what is most meaningful, relevant and authentic to the individual user. This is likely to result in less overall content, but more meaningful content. And then if someone chooses to download their data and tell their own story, I believe data overload could be dealt with in two ways: human helpers, and AI.

I think there's a market to have some assistance in going through data archives, with a trusted local entity, and tell the story of someone's life, and I think it could be a form of employment (data archaeologist, digital story helper). Secondly, as some platforms and companies are starting to do, there may be a certain amount of suggestion that AI can provide. Thirdly, I feel like there are user-centric tools that can help you gather material around proven themes that result in people feeling engaged: an important time in your life, a happy time in your life, particular events, people and places that are important to you. Not necessarily driving the most ad revenue - but more authentic and empowering, as you find your identity, maybe look into your roots a bit, and think about your future.

Non-toxic Social Media

A large percentage of people reading this article probably have a significant portion of their lives on a social platform - but maybe it would be a good idea to have alternative, non-toxic places for that data. There is increasing evidence of the toxicity of social media, and the evidence has been there for awhile, but companies keep using the same kinds of algorithms, which make the most money, and end up doing the most damage.

I like how this article puts it - they are dead on:

1. Social media has become a marketplace first.
2. Commoditizing social status via likes is detrimental to mental health.
3. Personal data is being bought and sold to the highest bidder.
4. Users are being forced into a sensationalized “publishing media” environment

I invite anyone to present convincing data that contradicts any of these statements. I don't think there is any.

Maybe there are some teenagers out there who are tired of the constant stress of measuring up to algorithms, maybe they want to get off social media platforms that they find toxic. There is increasing evidence of this, from apps like Be Real, to teens opting for simpler social media such as LiveIn and Lock Widget.

Silicon Valley could and should take notice. Entrepreneurs could make profitable ventures that are not toxic. Existing companies could reduce their legal exposure, but the profits from the status quo are so enormous, that there is inertia. But any and every social platform company is highly attuned to user preference - the reason why Facebook bought Instagram and other emerging social platforms is exactly because of people starting to use those platforms.

(Hopefully platforms can be created that serve the emerging demand for alternatives with increased privacy. Then existing companies will have no choice but to take notice. But new legislation may be necessary, which takes the challenges of data transportability into account, and truly listens to the technical representatives of these platforms, and then includes sustainable technology and real enforcement. CCPA was a good start, but didn't have all of these elements. Purely punitive regulations under consideration aren't a real answer. But options are out there, including the Access Act , and the United States learning from Europe. And the momentum is starting to cause a reaction in the form of Data Clean Rooms .)

Conclusion

I believe there is both need and demand for everyone to have their own personal clouds, and have the ability to interact socially on their own terms, without toxic algorithms.

I do think there are ways to make it sustainable as well.

The need for digital vellum, data archaeology and non-toxic social media is significant and timely. Let’s work together to bring them about.