At a time when the sentiment over “social media” has really begun to sour— with concerns over the way Zuckerburg & co handle our data, the algorithms that force us into informational silos, or the divisive nature of things we often see or say online — I feel like a book club would be kinda chill for everyone.
So I’m starting one, and you’re invited.
Why?
Despite the mistakes the pioneers of this space may have made when designing our apps, along with the unexpected consequences from those decisions, I believe we’re still headed in the right direction.
History has proven to gradually move towards fairer, and more open networks, and I believe social media is a part of that evolution — even if it means Twitter king as ruling president, and the kids from your local high school becoming SoundCloud rappers.
What I think could change TODAY about this new medium is the way WE, as individuals, choose to use it. Which is why I’m starting with a book club, right here on Medium.
Listen
What was once the primary driver of social media has paradoxically become, atleast in my opinion, its greatest vice. For thousands of years, our offline conversations have consisted of two mechanisms: expressing ourselves, and listening to others.
Mass media was once about us, “the people,” listening to a central authority of some sort (e.g. the TV network, the radio network) — not really about engaging in a mass conversation.
Social media flipped this model on it’s head. Now we could be our own media networks, and along came the promise of turning mass media into a conversation – expressing ourselves within the mass·age. My·Space. You·Tube. Offf couuurse.
By building tools designed to express ourselves however, we’ve gotten carried away — continually shifting the balance of the conversation. Silicon Valley has been incentivized to create tools for engagement, of personal expression. Who’s photos are you liking, and who’s liking yours? The end result: a lot of noise in our lives.
There really are very few apps that reward genuine, meaningful listening.
Listening
I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen. Nor do they observe. — Ernest Hemingway
I’m as guilty as anyone of this. You’re already 500 words deep into this post and I haven’t really answered a simple question. I like talking. I’ve written over 20,000 words on Medium since October and I plan to ramp that up.
But I’m kind of tired of expressing myself to be a little honest — sometimes, I just want to go off and observe the world. And I’m getting a similar message from numerous people tired of chasing Facebook and Instagram likes. I think the fact is, none of us are ever going to stop using social media, nor do I think we would want to.
An alternative presents itself. We could spend more time online, while also genuinely listening and observing the universe around us.
The ‘Universe’
“Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.”
Across 6000 years of recorded history, we’ve seen people live great, fulfilling lives. The kind of lives we still talk about today.
The accumulated wisdom from thousands of generations, across every continent, can be accessed on the palms of your hands today. We have everything we need to learn to be whole individuals.
The answers to our most fundamental questions about personal meaning and our role in society have been contemplated and written down in universal texts across time. No need to yell at each other from one screen to another about our “place” or “privilege” in it all.
A “book club” is a way for us to stay online and engage with one another, but in an activity primarily rooted in listening.
The ‘Club’
Yes, everyone can participate. No, you do not have mandatory readings or deadlines (so it’s not reallllly a club).
Harbor is a publication that anyone with a Medium account can contribute to as long as they’ve demonstrated meaningful listening. It doesn’t matter who it is — Nietzsche, or Dr. Seuss, Rowling, or your college professor. Keep your current reading list.
Choose any book, paper, video or podcast and submit something of the following:
Reviews
They say you haven’t learned something until you can explain it to someone else.
The simplest way to contribute to Harbor is to, in your own words, summarize the main elements or points of any piece of work. This not only becomes a handy resource for yourself, but a useful utility for others.
Essays
If you’re really ambitious, you can delve into the art of the essay. While a review is an easier option for most, a literary essay is the perfect blend of listening and expression. Often an author’s message is so universal that it calls the reader to interpret it through their own lens.
An essay is not simply a summary of the plot or contents of the work. It requires the listener to draw their own thesis of reality and use the work to back-up the argument(s) being made.
Why Participate?
If you’re like me, you have a huge reading list that you’re barely making progress on. And perhaps you’re not making progress because you’re spending your downtime on social media.
Harbor provides an incentive to get through that reading list while staying engaged online.
Or maybe, you might want to finally use social media to express yourself in your own, sophisticated manner. ☕
Why Medium?
No other social media platform really allows for the long, written form of expression that’s often needed in nuanced discussions.
No other platform would allow Harbor to be an independent publication, while you an independent writer.
Why Harbor?
It’s a publication and network you’ll be able to leverage. As Harbor grows collectively, so will your exposure. Writers will always own their work and could choose whether to set up their own pay walls.
How To Get Started
- Sort out your personal reading list (of any size), order it in priority.
- Comment below this article, or on the Harbor guidelines with your reading list. Alternatively, you can @ me on Twitter with your list.
- Get started on the first item on that list (when you can).
- Write your review or essay of the work with your Medium account. You don’t have to finish it to begin writing. The 🔑: meaningful listening.
- Request to publish on Harbor, we’ll be happy to accept it no matter who or where you are.
Go start this now if you’re even slightly considering it. Make a list, and share this with your friends.
Remember, book clubs have always been fun.
