The Future of Social Media is Personal
Please note: Thoughts of self-harm in this text. If you or someone you know is struggling with such feelings, please reach out for help. You can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988
"I've recently been banned from LinkedIn, adding it to the list that includes YouTube, eBay, Walmart, and others. It's easy to feel like it's the end of the world when you lose a platform, especially when your livelihood depends on it. However, I believe the future of social media is becoming more personal, a concept I won't elaborate on here but invite your own interpretation.
“14% of men who suffer from erectile dysfunction will have a heart attack seven years after the first symptom shows.”
My thoughts today are centered on the feeling of being personally targeted. I encountered someone on LinkedIn, seemingly seeking attention, who posted about the importance of a professional workplace free from personal drama. I strongly disagree with this perspective. In my experience, LinkedIn has become a space where some individuals present themselves as self-proclaimed experts, often without substantial basis.
“Chronic stress will kill you faster than any disease you think you have.”
Today, May 15th, marks three months since February 15th, the last day Wish.com paid our company. They currently owe us three months of earnings. This morning, I was contacted by them on Facebook, asking for patience. This is particularly difficult to accept given the financial strain this has placed on me, the mental anguish I've endured trying to understand their lack of payment. Despite this, I continue to process, pack, and ship orders, fully aware that I may never receive the owed compensation. You might question why I continue to serve customers under these circumstances.
The customers are, unfortunately, caught in the middle of a conflict initiated by Wish.com against its sellers and customers. In my view, Wish.com's excessive spending on advertising, without clear objectives beyond visibility, has significantly contributed to their current difficulties. The prominent "WISH" logo on the LA Lakers' jerseys exemplifies this. I struggle to understand their target demographic through this expensive campaign. It seems a misallocation of resources, prioritizing appearance over fundamental business practices. This highlights a crucial lesson: investing in outward image is futile without a solid foundation. It is far more effective to focus on improving substance. While we all value looking presentable, our core business is providing the products that cater to those needs, not necessarily being the primary consumers ourselves.
Three days later, I must report that the initial hope I placed in TikTok as a solution is fading. We've only been selling on the platform for a week, and while I hope for the best, I have little expectation of their concern for my situation. I am facing profound despair. It feels as though no matter my efforts, obstacles consistently arise to undermine me. Perhaps this is an inherent aspect of existence, or perhaps I am simply facing consequences I should have encountered long ago. Regardless, I perceive this as an indication that my time is drawing to a close. This is not due to a lack of effort, but rather the exhaustion of having tried everything.
I feel a sense of detachment and isolation. My relationships with family are strained, I have few close friends, and my self-esteem is low. If there are forces beyond my control at play, consistently working against my attempts to build anything, then I feel resigned. If this is the case, I am nearing a point of surrender. My hope is for a peaceful end, and I wish for understanding regarding my decision. I hope to be remembered for both my successes and failures. I seek genuine regard, not conditional affection.
You can never put trust into a platform that doesn’t belong to you. That’s why the future of social media is going to be personal. The return of personal blogs such as what we’re seeing on Substack. This has already occured in the Podcasting world —which is extremely saturated with garbage now. I predict that in a little over a decade, we will begin monetizing our own way because putting trust into any platform today is literally career-suicide. I mean it, even Only Fans and porn is going personal in the near future. There’s just not enough money to share, and it’s important for creators to begin owning their audiences.