The new social media platform
An idea that embodies genuine human interaction online
What sparked the idea
For my scholarship application we were tasked with identifying an existing service that has contributed to reduce distance or transform it into a value to improve individuals lives and future generations during Covid times. I instantly thought of Instagram, a platform that has changed our cultural interactions globally.
The thought process
Before the pandemic, I did not realize how relevant the word distance would become in all our lives. Growing up in such a close-knit community, when we were forced to distance ourselves I realized, I really took it for granted. Learning to live without human connection took a toll on me. I never felt more distant mentally from society than I did then. I felt that we are all lost emotionally because we were not meant to be so alone. The world is based on human connection and that was the one thing that at this point we could not have.
The three things I could not get out of my head when tasked with this project were the words: distance, social media, and globalization. The three catalysts that lead to Mentality, the app.
I thought due to globalization, and the international spread of information we have created tools such as social media in order to help us eliminate the idea of space/distance and time. This insight is what lead to my choice of Instagram and the creation of a new social media platform.
Instagram allows users to post from anywhere in the world, and there are more than 1 billion users globally. What better place to keep in touch and updated on the status of an individual’s life than on this app?
Deep dive into the Gram
Instagram stems into the idea of a “global village” as termed by Marshall McLuhan where individuals are connected globally through the use of technology. Users post updates about their lives and keep their followers in the loop. It allows for instant and constant connectivity. Users have the ability to like, comment and follow posts and people who they admire on the app.
Downside of the Gram
Although it allows us to be connected it also has the ability to highlight differences between people such as physical appearance, socioeconomic status, and fame. And certain individuals gain popularity due to these factors. Leading many users to compare themselves and yarn for something “better”. This brings us to an important question, “Does Instagram actually connect us or does it create more distance between people based on their virtual portrayal?” Moreover, “Is this app allowing us to judge people and their quality of life based on unrealistic portrayals of their everyday lives?”
Are we collectively losing our sanity trying to become something or someone we are not?
From Instagram to Mentality
As a platform, Instagram is very effective at helping us reduce the idea of space and time. It eliminates the feeling of distance between people, cultures and economies
However, its downfall is that it has been transformed into a platform that values appearance, fame, and money over our true intrinsic value, intelligence, and mental well-being.
MENTALITY
MENTALITY
Based on our emotional beliefs and values, Mentality would focus on our mental well-being through an immersive emotional experience.
Mentality & How it Works
The user, referred to as User 1 (in this example) would create an account on the app with a name and profile picture. The catch, both the name and profile photo cannot be personal and must be anonymous. Once User 1 has created a profile, they would post generic photos or videos expressing their deepest values, beliefs, and general thoughts. The purpose of this is for User 1 to identify who they are on a mental and spiritual level versus on a physical, appearance-based one. Thus the content cannot contain anything personal that would give away the user’s identity.
Detailed Features
These features allow for users within the app to feel that they are all equally valued regardless of their social economic status, material wealth or popularity.
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0 tolerance for any features of favoritismThis app eliminates any feature that could lead to favouritism. That means User 1 can like and comment on other users’ content. However, the likes and comments are only visible to themselves and not to the public.
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0 tolerance for any features of favouritismThis app eliminates any feature that could lead to favouritism. That means User 1 can like and comment on other users’ content. However, the likes and comments are only visible to themselves and not to the public.
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Design DirectorIt all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
