Stepping back.

It has been made quite clear to me over the past twelve-or-so months that most social platforms no longer ‘value’ my content or contribution.

I once used these platforms to engage and connect with a broad audience, which was not enormous by any means and not at all comparable to those garnered by ‘social influencers,’ but a humble number.

However, it seems that my accounts have been blacklisted or ‘shadow banned’ as they call it, for reasons I am still unable to understand. I spent a bit of time trying to get to the bottom of it and have tried reaching out to the administrators, though have not received a single response.

Prior to this, my content would reach audiences in the tens-of-thousands. Since my account being marked, however, my posts hardly reach one hundred people.

I will admit that I haven’t done so deep-a-dive into this, and I am sure that there have been changes across the platforms which determine the type of content that is highlighted and not.

Further, I assume that user patterns and demand regarding types of content and subject matter play a significant part in driving a platform’s decision-making process in order to continue engaging and increasing their usership.

At the end of the day, it simply is what it is.

This is by no means a plea for the myriad of self-touted experts to reach out and offer their secrets to ‘hacking the algorithm.’

To be frank, it isn’t something that I am overly concerned about or am focused upon. It has become clear that the way that these platforms are now used is no longer suited to how I have and would like to use them.

Simply put, the juice no longer feels worth the squeeze for me.

It seems that my message and the way in which I feel I need to express it no longer aligns with the popcorn-style media of modern times.

In fact, what I advocate for represents the polar opposite in a lot of ways — slow, thoughtful, reflective, introspective, considered, contemplative, longform.

There is certainly no shortage of those throwing their hats into the social media gauntlet, adding to the contemporary soundtrack made up of snackable, rolling noise-bites endlessly blaring in the backdrop of our society.

For me, true advocacy for what I believe means not feeding into that which opposes it. So instead of trying to fit my message into the global content factory, I’ve decided to take several steps back from it.

The great machine will not miss the input of one individual, however, I stand upon firm principles which I proudly uphold and will not allow myself to be another contributor towards the economy of attention.

I don’t say all this to judge anyone or their choices. I simply share my personal opinion and beliefs, and in no way do I condemn the choices of others and what they feel is necessary in their lives, whether they are conscious of it or not.

These are just the choices I’ve made for myself.

They needn’t make sense to anyone else, nor do I feel the need to justify them in any way.

I am in acceptance of our societal environment and its contours, and understand where I fit and where I don’t.

I’m not necessarily saying goodbye to all social media platforms. Rather, as I mentioned, I will be taking several steps back and won’t be contributing much unless I really feel I need to.

Instead, I’d like to redirect and channel my time, energy, attention, and resources towards platforms that better-support what I would like to put out in the world, in the way I feel I need to present it.

I am someone who is unable to just speak a handful of words.

I cannot project a false persona behind a camera.

I cannot pretend to be authoritative and absolute with my philosophy.

I will not act solely for the sake of attention.

I need to introspect.

I need to reflect.

I need to contemplate.

I need time.

I need space.

So I will venture to write more, with greater consistency, but perhaps a lesser frequency.

Afterall, ideas seem to require time to stew and marinade before any real flavour can be extracted from them.

I’ll be here if you feel like meandering along with me on this little sojourn.

Until next time,

Peace.