The Discussion of the Decade: Is Social Media Making Us More Social?

Same as the XVII century, the most important question was ‘Be, or not to be?’ - we are poised with the same dilemma: Is social media making us more social, or rather screen-addicted zombies? I must admit, the question itself isn’t as romantic as Shakespear, but nonetheless crucial to the survival of our human species.

Because here we are, humanity 2.0, with the ability to connect with anyone at any time — and yet somehow lonelier than ever. We have infinite tools for communication, and we use them mostly to send memes, fire emojis, and the occasional “you up?” at 1:43 a.m.

We’ve become experts at staying in touch without ever truly connecting.

Flying From Tribal Fires to Digital Echo Chambers

Once upon a time, being part of a community meant gathering around a fire to tell stories and drink homemade beer (or vodka!). Now, it’s about coming together in front of the screen to rant — and, occasionally, to party a bit, too — in comment sections and group chats.

People don’t want to hear it, but envy is the backbone of social media. Mark Manson — yes, the “Subtle Art” guy — once wrote that the internet didn’t create narcissism, it merely provided a stage and a follower counter. Let’s be real here: half of social media is people pretending they’re cooler than they are, and the other half is us pretending that we don’t care.

Here’s the real irony: We care. A lot. Because social media doesn’t just reflect what we want to show the world; it mirrors what we crave from it: validation, connection, meaning... and maybe just a sprinkle of dopamine.

The Myth of the “More Connected Than Ever” Generation

We like to say that we’re more connected than ever, but there’s no need to confuse sliding into DMs with human closeness. A heart reaction isn’t a good substitute when it comes to intimacy; there is no hug button. A share isn’t quite the same as a conversation. And tagging your friend on a Reel of cats dancing to techno beats is not remotely the same as hanging out with them — although, let’s do a reality check, it does help.

But there’s a hollowness to endless streaming with little substance. It’s like we’ve built digital amphitheaters for our thoughts, but no one’s really listening — not even ourselves

As philosopher-turned-Instagram-wisdom-poster Naval Ravikant put it, “Escape competition through authenticity.” But for many people, this has not been a move from A to B. Most people skipped the authenticity part and went straight into optimizing their aesthetic.

Can Social Media Be Actually Social?

Anyway, let’s not throw the entire App Store into with the bathwater. There is a version of social media that invites authentic connection. It’s just harder to locate, buried under filters, flexes and that one guy from high school who turned into a crypto bro.

It happens when creators share the truth instead of “content.” When people leave comments with ideas instead of fire emojis. Where communities are built not on clout, but care. It’s rare. But it’s there.

And let’s not overlook the magic of it all: for some, social media is the only stage they’ve ever had. For others, it is the first time they have been seen.

So… Social or Not?

It’s not social media that’s the problem. It’s unconscious consumption. It’s the algorithm hijacking our brain chemistry and the FOMO that convinces us our lives are somehow never enough. But when used well? Social media can be a megaphone, a stage, a bridge.

For some: such as creators and small brands, for example, social media is a platform to create real influence and make a living. Is getting a little help to kickstart things with buying likes morally right? The fact is that if you’re seeing that content, you need it. So, who cares?

So… is social media making us more social? I don’t believe there is one answer. It's more of a mirror. It reveals who we are — or who we aspire to be. Sometimes, that’s inspiring. Other times, it’s a touch cringey.

But if Shakespeare lived today, I would bet he’d have a burner Twitter account and a pinned TikTok of Hamlet performing a dance challenge. Because at the end of the day, we’re still just people trying to navigate how to be — together — in a world that keeps moving beneath our thumbs.

So, whether you’re doom scrolling your way through existential dread or posting thirst traps with ironic captions, take a sec to pause. Ask yourself not “What should I post? " but “What am I actually trying to say?”

And if the answer is “look at me, connect with me, hear me” — that’s the most human thing of all.