The Destruction of Connection: Toward Emergent Engagement in Social Media

Social media promises to connect us, yet its reality often leaves us isolated, disengaged, and misaligned with our interests. Instead of fostering meaningful interactions and relationships, platforms prioritize shallow engagement driven by profit-centric algorithms.

It’s time for a new approach: Emergent Engagement, a philosophy where platforms are designed to foster intentional, meaningful interactions that align with users’ true interests and contributions.

The Problem: Algorithms Ignore Your Intentions

Social media platforms have vast amounts of data on their users, including the content they create. Platforms like YouTube could easily use this data to tailor recommendations that reflect your genuine interests. Yet, feeds remain cluttered with irrelevant, sensationalized, or addictive content designed to maximize time-on-site rather than serve your needs.

For creators especially, this disconnect is glaring. You might have hundreds of videos exploring specific themes, but the platform’s recommendations fail to connect you with like-minded creators or communities. The data exists, but it’s ignored in favor of engagement-driven algorithms.

What Platforms Could Do Better

Emergent Engagement offers a vision where platforms leverage user data responsibly to enrich experiences rather than exploit them. Here’s how:

1. Content-Based Recommendations: Platforms should analyze the content you create to suggest related videos, creators, or communities. This would allow users to organically connect with others who share their passions and values.


2. Intentional Discovery: Recommendations should help users discover content that aligns with their interests, rather than pushing sensational trends or clickbait.


3. Empowered Exploration: Give users tools to refine their recommendations, ensuring that the platform evolves alongside their changing interests and priorities.



The Positive: Subscriptions as a Starting Point

One feature platforms already get right is subscriptions. The ability to follow creators and communities based on your interests is a step toward intentional engagement. However, this feature is often undermined by algorithmic feeds that prioritize irrelevant content over the subscriptions you’ve actively chosen.

Imagine if subscriptions were coupled with meaningful recommendations derived from the content you create and consume. This would elevate the user experience, turning passive consumption into an intentional, enriching journey.

Why Emergent Engagement Matters

Emergent Engagement reimagines social media as a tool for personal growth and connection, guided by the following principles:

Transparency: Platforms must clearly explain how recommendations are generated and allow users to adjust settings to align with their preferences.

Alignment with User Intent: Algorithms should reflect what users actively create and engage with, rather than promoting content designed solely to drive clicks.

Community and Connection: Platforms should foster genuine connections by matching users with creators and communities that resonate with their values.


The Future of Social Media

No platform today fully embodies Emergent Engagement—it’s an ideal we must work toward as a society. Imagine a platform where:

Your time online feels enriching and aligned with your goals and values.

Recommendations are derived from the content you create, ensuring they reflect your true interests.

Subscriptions and intentional engagement form the backbone of the user experience.


The Philosophy of Emergence teaches us that systems evolve when individuals act with authenticity and intention. By demanding better from social media and supporting platforms that align with these values, we can create a digital ecosystem that enriches our lives rather than exploiting them.

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