I’m coming to believe that a good digital social space isn’t merely focused on the “social” aspect as we know it today. A commenting platform shouldn't merely offer comments. Social media shouldn't merely enable standardized reactions and call itself “social.” Instead, it needs to offer a social environment, some context, a culture, etc. It needs to view itself as only one part of a whole, instead of all there is. It needs to put individuals' needs above its own (especially its own business model).
If your social platform only enables gathering and “liking” things and replying to other people, it only actually enables a thin band of social activity among the wide spectrum of human interaction. When these anemic relations become the norm on a large scale, of course we start to feel isolated rather than in good company; forever wanting more instead of ever fulfilled.
Thoughts? Discuss...