The Value Of Hated Social Media Platforms

I’m sure we can all agree, social media just stinks:

• Facebook has been a haven for hate groups and has influenced way too many elections with false narratives and conspiracy theories.
• Twitter has become a rat’s nest of comments and counter comments on the politics of the day.
• LinkedIn has become an out-of-control popularity contest, a shadow of what it used to be, with some authors elevated way-above their station, and too many companies using it to humble-brag all the time.

So, now that I have you all riled-up and paying attention, let me explain to you why my premise is all wrong.

Yes, there are tons of negative things about these platforms. Anytime you give a megaphone to people who hate, or to people who are selfish, bad things will happen. There have been a ton of comments, articles, hearings and the like dumping-on the worst parts of these platforms…and they’re not wrong.

There is however another side of the argument. 

Community.

At all times – but especially during the worst pandemic of our lifetimes – people needed technology to maintain a sense of community. Yes, that technology usually falls under the umbrella of the Collaboration industry that I work in. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, BlueJeans and many other platforms have supported remote workers as we kept businesses going in the face of a deadly virus. That list of technology also happens to include those maligned social media platforms. 

• For every conspiracy theory posted on Facebook there is a distant friend sharing a beautiful picture of nature, or their family, or of their birthday celebration.
• For every hateful rant on Twitter there is a community “tweetstorm” sharing ideas about an industry, poking fun of a lockdown haircut, or having an insightful regularly scheduled conversation. (Feel free to click here or search for the hashtag #AVInTheAM on Twitter to see these conversations that happen in the AV community every Sunday morning.)
• For every pompous, self-absorbed and/or boastful post on LinkedIn there is a blog demonstrating how technology can support a more inclusive workplace, or a new job being posted for the person that’s been out of work for too long, or an old friend asking for a reference to get that dream job – and then telling you he or she landed it.

Sure, it’s easy to throw shade at platforms that support and amplify the worst of our society. There is much more they should be doing to improve the experience and shut-down abusers and Neanderthals. But let’s not let the worst of us ruin something special for the rest of us. Let’s not engage in our own hate speech, tearing down platforms that many rely on to stay in touch and feel connected. Let’s embrace what is special about supporting our global communities even while having disdain for the worst of their failures.

In the last year I have personally utilized these platforms to help solve problems for clients, get gear to people who had an urgent need, help friends get new jobs, and help industry colleagues in lockdown feel like they are a part of something bigger.

Social media is terrible…but it’s also wonderful. Let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater…and let’s certainly not do it out of blind ignorance of the good parts. We all need to be sure we investigate and/or look into what we would criticize. If not, we’re just as bad as the worst parts of social media that we’re complaining about.

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This article was written by David Danto and contains solely his own, personal opinions. David has over four decades of experience providing problem solving leadership and innovation in media and unified communications technologies for various firms in the corporate, broadcasting and academic worlds including AT&T, Bloomberg LP, FNN, Morgan Stanley, NYU, Lehman Brothers and JP Morgan Chase. He now works as The Director of UC Strategy and Research for Poly. He is also the IMCCA’s Director of Emerging Technology. David can be reached at [email protected] and his full bio and other blogs and articles can be seen at Danto.info.

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