Are We Still Evolving (Socially)?

Ummm...Probably not.

The social tools we rely on today are holding us back. Despite living in the most connected era of human history, our social platforms are built on shallow interactions, addictive algorithms, and the pervasive force of advertising dollars. This is not social evolution—this is a stagnation trap, where engagement is transactional, and authenticity is optional. Let's break it down a little.

Advertising is Killing Authentic Connection

Social media today runs on advertising revenue. In 2023 alone, global ad spending on social media surpassed $229 billion, and it’s growing. So what?

Well... this economic model incentivizes shock-value content, not meaningful interaction. The algorithms don’t care about quality—they care about what grabs attention, because that attention is what’s sold to advertisers.

We are stuck in a loop where viral content thrives, not because it’s valuable, but because it’s loud. As a result, our social feeds are an endless parade of outrage, clickbait, and empty noise designed to keep us hooked and scrolling. Genuine, thoughtful content gets buried under an avalanche of superficiality.

It’s impossible to know whether someone is being sincere or if they’re just trying to sell you something. And let’s be real, they’re usually selling.

Likes & Reshares Are Lazy, Not Socially Evolved

Here’s another issue: likes and reshares are primitive. They represent the bare minimum of what should be sophisticated, nuanced engagement.

Social interaction is not binary. It’s layered, complex, and requires depth. And yet, we’ve settled for an interaction model that reduces our emotions, thoughts, and reactions into one click. This kind of engagement doesn’t drive meaningful conversations or deep social connections—it drives superficiality.

How can a single "like" possibly convey admiration, curiosity, or even skepticism? It can’t. It’s a dumbed-down version of human interaction, and it’s stagnating our ability to evolve socially.

If you want a formula for shallow engagement, here it is: Likes + Reshares = Oversimplified Interaction.

Same Content, Different Day: The Algorithmic Echo Chamber

The content you’re seeing today is the same content you saw yesterday. Algorithms are designed to feed you more of what’s already popular. The same influencers, the same recycled ideas, the same algorithmic echo chamber. New voices and fresh ideas are silenced under the weight of virality.

Did you know that 90% of all interactions on social media come from just 1% of users? That’s how deeply entrenched this system is. The same creators get pushed to the top, while everyone else is fighting for scraps. There’s little room for discovery or genuine exploration. Even platforms like Reddit, which let you sort by "new," offer no real incentives for users to discover fresh content.

Imagine a world where early discovery of valuable, original content was rewarded, where users were encouraged to actively seek out new ideas and help elevate them. It’s possible, but the current system doesn’t support it.

Your Attention is a Commodity—And You’re Not Cashing In

Let’s talk about the biggest injustice of all: your attention is being sold, and you’re not even in on the deal.

Every scroll, click, and interaction is being monetized by social platforms and ad networks. Your attention has become a commodity, traded between corporations while you get nothing in return. This isn’t just about annoying ads—it’s about the fundamental fact that your focus is worth something, and you’re not seeing a cent of that value.

Here’s how the system works: Attention = Currency Engagement = Profit for Platforms Users = Unpaid Suppliers

We’re being played. Our digital attention is being bought and sold like any other asset, but we’re the only ones not profiting from it. This needs to change.

So, What’s Next?

We need to rethink what social media could be. If we continue with this broken system, we’ll remain stuck in this loop of superficiality, recycled content, and manipulated engagement.

It’s time for new platforms—ones that focus on genuine connection, not just clicks. Platforms where our attention is treated with the value it deserves, where engagement is nuanced and meaningful, and where users are encouraged to explore and elevate new ideas.

It’s time to evolve, for real.