Siri Play "Control" By Janet Jackson
When we begin a brand new social media account, it is almost like we are thrown into a great sea of all different types of content that is unfamiliar to our liking. It is fresh chaos to the new user, almost like going on a date and not knowing anything about them. Do they like fashion? Are they into gaming? Are they into art and creativity or do they like to be the creator.
I say it all the time, I have been on social media since it’s inception. I started out in the AOL chatrooms, just watching unusual screen names belittle and argue with others so that they were king (or queen) of that chat box.
It was kind of a major thing to be the King of the Hill in conversations at that time. But because this was the age of “dial up”, we didn’t spend a lot of time roasting and talking shit. We got in and out and went on to doing what we did best. Surfing the web.
With today’s day an age with unlimited internet time, creating a new account for a social media platform is like searching for an apartment with decent rent and close to transportation for your informational super highway or your internet business.
I was a person that liked to case out the joint before I even thought to pick up a mic and speak. I made sure that I found all my friends and people that I admire first. Then once I established that territory, I began searching for people who had similar interests of mine, such as music production and gaming. I loved following people who were stepping into a zone they never had before, which was content creation.
Some people just dive into creating content while others need a nudge. Some people are the architects an others are actual builders.
I myself have always found content creation fun, well, that’s until you get sent to the shadows. Or what I like to call, “The Corner”
2020 became a time where people like myself had ALOT of questions. You were not allowed to mention the You-Know-Who Virus or question the You-Know-What Vaccine. Even general questions or observations.
If you are a black creator, yes. Lightning strikes upon thee.
This isn’t even a conversation about Conspiracy Theories or Racism. This is just a simple observation on how “certain” creators thrive untouched by these community guidelines and others who lose it all and have to make 1-3 backup pages because of violations.
Well, what is a guideline anyway?
It is understood that when you sign up to participate or create within a space that involves other people of different beliefs, religions and thoughts, we have to be respectful and fair. We cannot harass or offend others, threaten or cause harm to our fellow creators and viewers.
That we understand.
But then you get to the point where questioning things as a collective is a definite “no no” and to the shadow realms you go.
I think I know why.
Collective Consciousness has become data for an algorithm now. If you haven’t caught on the purpose of social media yet, let me remind you that social media is the PLATFORM for sharing information and social networking is the communication within the platform.
The owners of these platforms monitor all conversations and sometimes thing that are shared, (not matter if it’s true) doesn’t fit the narrative of official records and opinions that are in place. So then you wind up in internet jail.
As an observer, I try not to be two things: controversial and confrontational. It’s a daily struggle as you begin to realize that alot of people on social media are not who they say they are after a while.
The contentless faceless trolls, aka user12345, come for, well, are sent to, specific accounts to be combative. They then ban together to mass report content and get posts taken down.
Is this a one man army? Well, mass report bots are managed by a person to run scripts and target a user. There MIGHT be a person who will claim responsibility for taking a creator down, but most of the time, they will take it to their social media graves.
Nobody Puts A Baby In The Corner.
In 2023, we have reached a time where it is becoming almost noticeable that instead of shadow banning a few people over their type of content, they have grouped people into different corners of a platform to speak among themselves. Just when you thought the world was waking up, right?
Well, our own little world it seems.
Those who choose to dance and participate with the class gets their content seen and the brand deals. Those who choose to complain, discuss research or go against the powers that be can have their own little storage closet to compare, notes and grievances.
After all it’s not taking away your freedom of speech, it’s just limiting it to viewers and creators who feel the same way without disrupting the class.