The Kiss of Death for Social Media: The Wrath of the ‘Every Person’

Instagram’s Threads… Another Blue Tick Brigade Playground

Welcome to the era of social media, where everyone’s got an opinion, a platform, and the desire to be recognized. But wait, not so fast! Enter the blue tick verifications—the holy grail of online validation. Originally meant to separate the wheat from the chaff, these elusive symbols of credibility have now transformed into a digital caste system, breeding discontent, and igniting the wrath of the ‘every person’. We will dive into why these blue ticks could be the nail in the coffin for social media, and why they’re causing more trouble than they’re worth. Please note the sarcasm before feeling like I have offended you in some way… It’s important to consider this argument emotionally and then rationally if I have to.

In the digital age, social media has revolutionised the way we connect, communicate, and consume information. It has become an integral part of our daily lives, with platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and now the arrival of Threads is on the scene, dominating the online landscape and may well cause old Elon to blow a Tesla fuse on his toxic cesspit, I mean his 44 billion dollar investment in Twitter. However, the introduction of the blue tick verification, originally intended to authenticate public figures and establish credibility, has inadvertently become a symbol of elitism and inequality.

Exclusivity Breeds Discontent

Ah, exclusivity. Nothing gets people’s blood boiling quite like the idea of being excluded from an elite club. What started as a noble quest to weed out imposters and frauds has morphed into a symbol of status and privilege. So, while you’re busy posting pictures of your cat in a bowtie, some lucky folks get to flaunt their blue ticks, basking in the warm glow of validation. It’s like being back in high school, where the popular kids ruled the cafeteria, and the rest of us just hoped for a seat at the cool table.

The blue tick verification was initially introduced to distinguish genuine accounts from impersonators or fake profiles. However, over time, it has transformed into a symbol of social status, creating an exclusive club of verified users. This exclusivity breeds discontent among the majority of social media users who are denied the verification, fostering a sense of inequality and resentment.

Reinforcing Social Hierarchy

Move over, peasants! The blue tick brigade is here to remind us that some voices are simply more important than others. Who needs diversity of thought and a level playing field when we can just amplify the same old voices of the rich and famous? Social media platforms have inadvertently become the enablers of this hierarchy, giving the verified accounts preferential treatment, and leaving the rest of us drowning in a sea of obscurity. So much for the promise of democratising communication and empowering the masses.

Blue tick verifications reinforce existing social hierarchies, amplifying the gap between the famous and the ordinary. By giving verified accounts preferential treatment, social media platforms inadvertently endorse the idea that some voices are more important or valuable than others. This perpetuates a system where the rich, famous, or influential dominate the online conversation, suppressing diverse perspectives and stifling creativity.

Facilitating Misinformation and Manipulation

You know what they say: desperate times call for desperate measures. And boy, oh boy, the race for those precious blue ticks has pushed some people to the edge of ethical sanity. Forget about genuine engagement or meaningful content. It’s all about the numbers—followers, likes, and anything else that can be bought, bartered, or stolen. The pursuit of verification has turned social media into a virtual bazaar, where truth and authenticity are merely optional accessories. Who needs credibility when you can buy it for a few bucks?

The pursuit of blue tick verifications has opened the door for manipulation and misinformation. As aspiring influencers or public figures vie for verification, they may resort to deceptive practices, such as purchasing followers or engaging in clickbait tactics. This compromises the integrity of social media platforms and undermines the trust users place in the content they consume.

Impeding Authenticity and Creativity

Remember when social media was a place where individuality thrived, where creativity knew no bounds? Well, say goodbye to those days. The blue tick verification has effectively slapped a straitjacket on our online personas, forcing us to conform to a specific mould in order to gain recognition. Forget about expressing your unique quirks or sharing your wildest ideas. It’s all about fitting into the box that the almighty blue tick demands. Isn’t it wonderful how social media has managed to stifle the very authenticity that made it so appealing?

The blue tick verification has inadvertently put pressure on users to conform to certain standards in order to gain recognition. This emphasis on verification discourages individuality, creativity, and the free expression of ideas. Social media platforms were once celebrated for their ability to amplify diverse voices, but the introduction of the blue tick has hindered this potential, stifling the authenticity that made these platforms appealing in the first place.

Alternative Metrics of Credibility

Oh, how we love our traditional metrics of credibility! Fame, public recognition, and all the other shiny trinkets we used to judge someone’s worth. Who needs innovation when we have the good old blue tick? We could be valuing engagement, expertise, or community trust, but why bother? Let’s just stick with the good old “verified” stamp and call it a day. After all, who needs a diverse range of voices when we can have a homogenous chorus of the already validated?

Blue tick verifications prioritise traditional notions of credibility, such as fame or public recognition, while overlooking alternative metrics that could gauge the value and trustworthiness of an account. By solely relying on verification symbols, social media platforms miss the opportunity to promote engagement, expertise, or community trust as valid indicators of credibility.

‘T'ick, Tick, Boom!’ - Anon

The Wrath of the ‘Every Person’

Ah, the power of the masses! As the discontent grows and the resentment festers, social media platforms risk awakening the sleeping giant of the everyday user. We, the ordinary people, who make these platforms what they are, have had enough of being treated like second-class citizens in our own digital world. It’s time for a revolution, a rebellion against the blue tick overlords. We might start boycotting platforms or seeking alternatives that actually value inclusivity and egalitarianism. And let’s be honest, social media platforms should be scared—really scared—because without the diverse perspectives, the creative energy, and the authentic voices of the ‘every person’, their carefully curated digital empires will crumble like a house of cards.

The backlash against blue tick verifications stems from the frustration and resentment of the everyday user who feels excluded from the elite club of verified accounts. As discontent grows, users may resort to boycotting platforms or seeking alternatives that prioritise inclusivity and egalitarianism. Social media platforms risk alienating their user base and losing the diverse perspectives that make these platforms vibrant and relevant.

Threads Should Tread Carefully!

Ladies and gentlemen, the blue tick verifications have cast a dark shadow over the promise of social media. And this is all the more clear with the latest celebrity playground launched, courtesy of Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta. What was meant to authenticate public figures and enhance trust has become a symbol of elitism, inequality, and online snobbery. As we witness the rise of discontent and the fury of the everyday user, social media platforms must wake up and smell the virtual coffee. It’s time to reevaluate the meaning of verification, to prioritise inclusivity, and to create an online environment where every voice matters.

Failure to address these concerns could spell doom for the social media landscape as we know it. So, the big question is when will the ‘every person’ unite against the blue tick tyranny and reclaim the digital world for the people. It’s time to topple the pedestals, break down the barriers, and build a social media ecosystem that truly reflects the diversity, creativity, and authenticity of the ‘every person’. Together, we can make it happen. Are you ready?

By reinforcing social hierarchies, facilitating manipulation, impeding authenticity, and alienating everyday users, these verifications pose a significant threat to the future of social media. Platforms must re-evaluate their approach to verification and strive to create an inclusive and egalitarian online environment where every voice is valued and heard. Failure to address these concerns could result in the demise of social media as we know it.