Welcome to the slow social

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok offer millions of its users an instant connection with a vast audience. That connection, while seemingly free and innocent at first, in reality comes with a hefty price tag: from addiction and feeling of isolation to depression, disinformation, lack of privacy and much more.

That's because these networks are not designed for meaningful interactions between humans, but rather for maximisation of revenue for the platform itself. However, a new crop of networks is emerging – ones that values slow, meaningful connections over rapid-fire content consumption.

In this post, we will explore the benefits of a slow social networks that already exist and compare them to popular social networks.

First things first: what's a slow social network?

A slow social network, is designed to help smaller, close-knit groups, connect and communicate. It is an online social activity, rather than an activity you do on your own when you're bored.

Popular social media platforms are designed to keep users spend time in their apps for as long as possible, for the purpose of increasing their engagement metrics (such as MAU) that are then used to determine the value of the company's stock, or to build up your advertising profile that enables them to sell very targeted ads to brands. If you've ever thought it's difficult to quit these apps, that's because it is: they deploy various dark patterns, such as infinite scroll or notifications in conjunction with algorithmic content selection and filtering. Speaking of the content that you see on social media, majority of it comes from <10% of users. Considering these facts, it's difficult to say that social media today provides many social experiences to its users today.

In contrast, a slow social network is focused on supporting small groups of people with shared interests and values. While there isn't a widely-accepted definition of slow social media, there are are a few characteristics we can draw from the networks that already exist today and the way they are being used.

Slow social networks are slow on purpose. Where it might take a minute to write a Tweet or 7 seconds to watch a TikTok video, on slow social it might take hours to write a newsletter, days before it gets to the top of your inbox, before you take half an hour to read it. This slowness leads not only more deliberate content being created but also to more authentic connections between individuals. Unlike the vast networks found on major platforms, smaller communities allow individuals to easily find and share with individuals who share their passions and interests. Additionally, with a business model that's typically based on subscriptions and not advertising, slow social media isn't overrun by and and brands looking for your attention. The reduced noise and clutter enable deeper conversations and genuine interactions beyond likes and views.

If you're wondering what are some examples of slow social networks. Here's a short selection of some of them:

• Linkship: With Friendships on Linkship, you can exchange links and notes with your friends. Links you share are added to your friend's RSS feed. Due to the nature of RSS, your friend reads the link whenever it works for them, and since there is no global broadcasting, your friends know you've mindfully shared something that's just for them.
• Hipstamatic X: An example of a slow social network built around photography, HipstmaticX makes a clear-cut between your friends photos and a global discovery feed. With a limited number of photos you can share per day, Hipstamatic X makes sure you limit your time with the app.
• Mastodon: Small(er) communities are at the heart of Mastodon. To sign up for Mastodon you have to choose your server ie. your home community where all of your data will be stored and where you will be able to interact with others people. Each community has its own code of conduct, membership requirements and is typically bound to a location or a specific topic.
• Microblogging sites: Websites such as micro.blog and Tumblr focus on creative expression within smaller groups, on micro.blog those are bloggers and on tumblr those are typically different fandoms.

In conclusion, the rise of social media has revolutionized the way we connect and interact with each other online. However, as the drawbacks of popular social networks become more apparent, a new trend in social media is emerging – one that values slow, meaningful connections over rapid-fire content consumption. A slow social network offers a more deliberate and intentional way to connect with others online, prioritizing authenticity and meaningful engagement over addiction and corporate profits. As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, it's important to remember that quality connections matter more than quantity.