A Broken Promise
Before it became a tool of Russian election interference, helped white supremacists organize and divided families, social media had such promise. But there is one social network that still works, and it may give us the roadmap back to civility.
No, it’s not Facebook. At first, it was wonderful. Friends I’d lost touch with decades ago were reappearing daily. Great conversations and family pictures followed. It was like a fantastic class reunion. Eventually, I wanted more than superficial dialogue, and started posting about big issues. Some great dialogue followed. But as the algorithms gave people more of what they liked, and the echo chambers intensified, opinions became more entrenched. Racist comments were shared more casually. The pushback in those exchanges became more hostile. Seeing a notification that certain people had responded to a post made the muscles in the back of my neck tighten. The fantastic class reunion turned into a bad family reunion.
I still like Facebook. It’s great for organizing events and sharing articles but it’s promise has failed. Facebook has done more to pry us apart than bring us together. Many of my friends have lamented the loss of cute stories and baby pictures. Fortunately, another platform has stepped up to fill that void.
Pictures, Parties and Angry News
On Instagram sharing pictures and videos is a joyful experience. Former colleagues, the young ones at the office now in their 30s, share images of their children laughing and playing. Instagram is a great place to go for a smile. However, it’s also the home of Best Life Syndrome, where people display their happiness and little else. It’s a filtered reality. Another platform drops the filter.
At first, I didn’t get Twitter. It took me a long time to realize it’s just a news feed. When I worked at TSN, Canada’s Sports Leader, I loved ripping wire copy and reading the latest information. Twitter is like that except that after every news item there is a string of vitriol that would make a sailor’s hair curl. You need thick skin to participate in this party.
The biggest social media party is TikTok, bursting with Gen Z energy. I’m in my 50s so it only has one use for me. When I want to coerce my 12-year-old-son into doing something, I threaten to make a dance video and put it on TikTok for his friends to enjoy. His response is always the same, a cold stare while mouthing the words “I hate you”. Now that’s family fun. Yes, Tik Tok is fun, but it’s limited.
There is one social network that is about connection, achievement, and growth. The social network that works for me is the one about work. LinkedIn is my favourite daily feed.
The One That Works
It wasn’t always this way. When I worked at a network, where I could hire people and participate in the greenlighting of shows, LinkedIn was kind of a nuisance. People I didn’t know would ask for connections. I looked at those connections as endorsements, so I didn’t accept any from people I hadn’t worked with. It seemed presumptuous to try to connect this way if we hadn’t interacted in the real world. My attitude has shifted 180 degrees.
Partly, it’s because I’m now a solopreneur and need the connections more than I did in those heady days of a corner office and benefits. However, it’s also because LinkedIn became more than an online resume. Every day, people share expertise in written posts and videos. As a content creator, it’s become a natural home for blog posts and interviews I conduct. It’s also a place to celebrate accomplishment - promotions, new jobs and career milestones. LinkedIn is a steady stream of achievement that I find inspiring. But it’s more than that, and this is where I find hope.
Where the other feeds have been spawning grounds for the worst parts of our social lives, LinkedIn has distilled the best parts of the workplace. People behave on the platform like they do at the office. Exchanges are warm and professional, yet still genuine. Politics are rarely introduced, but if they are it’s always with a light touch. After all, we’re trying to work together. This is a place where people need to get along. That’s the important difference.
The Takeaway
If society is going to improve, we need to look at our exchanges through a different lens, one that focuses on bridge building. I never thought I’d say this, but maybe we need to start treating each other socially like we do professionally. We need to look at our friends and relatives as though we need them to accomplish great things. We should focus on common goals and interests. We don’t have to back off on important issues, like gender and racial equality, but those discussions shouldn’t be about shutting someone down. The goal should be moving forward to a better place.
Workplaces aren’t perfect. There are internal politics and sometimes incompetence rises through a healthy dose of overplayed deference. However, at its best the workplace is about accomplishment, growth and respectful communication. That’s what I get on LinkedIn. I look forward to making new contacts, learning something and interactions that are real but also respectful.
So when we come out of this pandemic and get together again, let’s take a cue from the social network that works. Wear your good clothes and put your best foot forward. Have real discussions that are also productive. There is a lot that needs to be done to make this world a better place. So personally and professionally, online and in person, let’s take our cue from LinkedIn and get to work.
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Contact the author at craig@colbyvision.net for consulting, training, writing or production.
Craig Colby is a television executive producer, producer, director, writer and story editor. He runs a storytelling consulting and production service for businesses.