When Social Was Pro-Social, and Sharing Was Additive Rather Than Extractive
Second trial @leaflet.pub post, this time including an image to see how that renders when cross-posted to Bluesky. And, in doing so, also an excuse to post the full content associated with my last post, via @flashes.blue, which I had to truncate due to a word count limit.
couple evenings ago Jennie and I ran into the lovely and inspiring Gariele, Brandon, and their daughter, Aria, riding through our neighborhood. Conversation turned to the early days of our connection, over a decade ago, facilitated by [Instagram, where this post originally appeared]. Back when [IG] - and its kin - were described as social networks, rather than social media. Connections prioritized over content. There was such a wonderful crew of VanIsle creators and advocates on here back then, sharing stories about their love for this place and the experience it affords. And the thing is, they’re still here … just a little older, many with growing kids, all no less inspiring … but a little less (algorithmically) connected.
This isn’t a lament for the good old days. It is a celebration of the good things that can come from sharing online. (With a recognition of the challenges that have ensued.) When we share - and connect - with intention and relationally.
I haven’t posted persistent images [on IG or other mainstream “social platforms] in over a year, wanting to reset my relationship with these tools. That reset worked while I was absent, but the antipatterns have been creeping back in. Ultimately, as much as they share culpability, that’s on me, not the oligarchs and their algos. I want to return, not to bygone days, but to a renewed situation of greater, substantive, connection with folks like Gariele and Brandon - and Shane, Chris, Caleb, Ian, etc. - connecting over the shared values and intentions of celebrating beauty, the love of community learning, meaningful storytelling, and making progress towards a future of greater reverence, humility and collective accountability.
We’ll see how all that goes, here and in other places and spaces.
For now, by way of showing back up, here’s an homage to my overnight spot from a recent hike in which all those intentions for the future were resonating in the present, from within the heart of the place now known as Vancouver Island, my beloved home.
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