Editorial
The Gist
- Validation mirrors digital behavior. A fictional walk filled with compliments shows how social media sets unrealistic benchmarks for self-worth.
- Social media is shifting to social life. Future platforms will emphasize real-time, interactive experiences over likes and static content.
- AI-powered wearables are the next frontier. Connected devices like Meta Sunglasses could bridge digital and real-world interactions, creating a phygital future.
Imagine this: you woke up today, feeling extra motivated and eager to tackle the day. So much so, that you decide to put on your favorite pair of jeans, favorite shirt and spray a little extra of your favorite scent just before you head out the door take on the day.
You live just far enough where sometimes it makes sense to drive to the office. However, on this particular day, because you’re looking and feeling extra good, you decide to take the scenic route and walk. As you head outside, throw on your favorite shades and strut your stuff, something incredible happens.
The first person you walk by you and says, “Hey, you look great." A bit taken back and surprised by this gesture from a stranger you never met, you simply smile and you both keep walking.
As you turn the corner, it happens again, this time by two people at the same time. You wonder, “What is going on?”
To your surprise it happens again, and then again, and again. By the time you get to the office 50 people in total have told you looked great and all you can help thinking is, “Am I dreaming or did 50 people just tell me I look great today?”
You crush your workday. And just as you are getting ready to walk home you think, “Hmm, I wonder how many people this time will tell me I look great?”
As you head out, to your surprise, only three people tell you on your way home. (Editor's note: Justin, you know we all look better on the way in to work).
A bit confused, a bit disappointed, you arrive home and think, "Hmm, I wonder why more people didn’t say I looked good?" Thus, creating a benchmark perception of what we as humans feel is acceptable for validation.
Table of Contents
- The Power Of Perception And Validation
- How Social Media Shapes Self-Worth
- Zuckerberg's Vision for the Future of Social Media
- From Virtual Hangouts to Real Connection
- Social Media Will Become Social Life
- Welcome to the Phygital Future
- What Brands Should Do Now
The Power Of Perception And Validation
And that’s the point.
The above is an example of how we as society interact, feel and view ourselves through the lens of social media. Likes, hearts, shares, comments: all metrics and KPIs for us as humans to measure our self-worth and appeal.
But like in my example above, it’s simply just not how real life actually is.
Related Article: 10 Social Media Trends You Can't Ignore
How Social Media Shapes Self-Worth
One day 50 people tell you that you look good, the next maybe it’s just three – what’s enough? Where does the fulfilment start and end? What effect does this have on our self-esteem?
Sort of scary right? All of this being said however, I believe this will change in a very big, very positive way.
Zuckerberg's Vision for the Future of Social Media
In a recent interview, the godfather of social, the guru of connected media — Mark Zuckerberg — discussed how he feels that by 2030, there’s no way we are using social media the way we are today.
Mark describes.
“We had texts, then we all got phones with cameras – most of the content became photos. Then the mobile networks got good enough that if you wanted to watch a video on your phone you could without buffering – so after the last 10 years, most of the content has moved towards video – but like, I don’t know – do you think in 5 years you’re just going to be sitting in your feed consuming video? No, it’s going to be interactive.”
Which brings me to my next point.
From Virtual Hangouts to Real Connection
Do you remember during COVID when you and your friends or co-workers jump on a Zoom, have a happy hour, open a game, play and just have some laughs and conversations?
Of course you do – and by now, hopefully you see where this story is heading.
Social Media Will Become Social Life
Social media is and should be designed to be social. Is a ‘like’ social? No, it’s a blanket validation of something that doesn’t hold any context behind it.
Is the person liking my photo because of my shirt? My pants? My sunglasses? Or maybe it’s the crazy mullet hair cut I just got? Nobody really knows, and that’s where Meta and others I believe, see the opportunity to evolve social platforms into more than just likes and comments.
Like my Zoom example above with friends or co-workers, the future of these platforms and their success will be framed up by how AI can help assist humanity to become more connected through the content we create.
Welcome to the Phygital Future
What does that content look like in the future? I’m glad you asked.
In my opinion, the content we consume on our phones and devices will be gone. Yes, that’s right, gone forever.
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Where will it go? Simple — it will move into the real world.
Huh?
Yes.
Social media becomes social life. Society will look to adopt wearable devices like the Meta Sunglasses, and these devices will bridge together the physical and digital worlds, creating a phygital space where social interactions and connections can be made.
Here’s a lens into what that will look like.
- At a coffee shop and want to know who is single? Look through your device and see who has enabled "Single mode" on their Meta device.
- Want to know what brand sneakers someone is wearing? Look at them and activate "shop mode."
- Want to give someone a compliment because you like their style as you walk by? Send a high five to their viewable lens.
Life will begin to become more social. Dating, shopping, video recording ... all spaces that will benefit from connected devices powered by AI to pull us together as a society.
My vision, my prediction, my hope is that we as society evolve and change in ways where we become more connected and rooted in who we truly are as people, and not by how many likes we get on our photos. Social media will cease to exist, and social life becomes the new normal of how we interact with each other.
And that, would be a beautiful thing to witness.
What Brands Should Do Now
If you’re a brand, now is the time to start researching, investing and experimenting with new technologies and applications (like the Meta Ray Ban Sunglasses) to find ways to give customers experiences, products and, most importantly, connections in non-traditional channels; like walking down the street or driving in your car. The way we shop will forever be changed over the next five years, and, as a brand, you must remember one important rule: always be where your customers are.
As Charles Dickenson once said, “Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true.”
Ain’t that the truth, Charles. And while we will likely always rely on electronic communication (AI) going forward, we can also rely on the fact that it will act as the conduit of connection.
PS – You look really great today by the way!
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