Why We Watch and Share
I still vividly remember the memories of going on YouTube when I was just a few years old. I’d watch jump-scare videos, YouTube poops, game-play videos, and not too long after I was making my own poor quality content. The need to be a part of something that feels far bigger overcame me. I became a part of YouTube very early on. I grew up with it and its culture, and I haven’t been able to part with it ever since.
Maybe it’s because we grew up with it, maybe it’s because we want to feel part of something more, or maybe it’s the desire within all of us to be seen. Social media connects us, and for many it has become us.
I joined more social medias while I was nearing the end of high school. I wanted to stay in touch with everyone that I might never see again. Social media lets us stay connected to the friends , family, and (mostly) acquaintances that we would otherwise drift away from.
It is said that social media is replacing face to face communication, but that is not true. Most people I follow are people that I have met in real life. I would never interact with most of these people again if not for social media. These platforms are not replacing face to face communication, they are replacing a lack of communication altogether. Social media replaces the lost friendships, the distant family we know little about, and the people we may have only met once.
Social media stays around because it has introduced us to a new way of life that most find better. In Cognitive Surplus, Clay Shirky talks about intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. Intrinsic motivations are ones where doing the activity is the reward. Most of us do not use social media to get money or fame. Using it and connecting with people is a far larger motivator for the majority of people.
There are, however, people who use social media for extrinsic motivations, or rewards outside of the platforms themselves. Instagram Influencers will only post for the money and fame. Many YouTubers have made careers out of their work, and it was the same with Viners before it was shut down.
We share the things we do based on these two types of motivation without thinking about it. We post what we post based on what we want out of social media. I post very little because I like to see what others are doing more than sharing my experiences. Others post more because they want to share their lives. Those who want money or fame may post everything in their lives, and they may be sponsored by companies. We all use social media for a reason, and our motivation to do so is represented in what we share.
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