If you’ve seen the new Netflix docudrama The Social Dilemma, then you must be as disturbed as we are. (If you still haven’t seen this eye-opening and important short film on how social media is controlling our lives, we recommend that you stop everything and go watch it.)
The Social Dilemma raises super concerning issues, and at Coing, we’re happy to say that we have the bold solutions to combat them.
But before we begin, here is a “fun fact” (excuse the sarcasm) -
During 2011, the Western world experienced an alarming increase in levels of anxiety, loneliness, depression and suicide rates. At first, these decreases in mental well-being were attributed to ‘left overs’ of the 2008 recession, but quickly scientists found the real reason: the evolution of smartphones that supported constant browsing of social media networks.
Continuing to alarm, since 2011, the levels presented above have all increased.
So could it be that social networks are actually not that social?
‘The Social Dilemma’ gives us a peek behind the curtains on how social media giants work and shows with simplicity the negative impacts on our society.
So how does Coing solve The Social Dilemma?
Online passive consumption (feed)
vs.
Offline active participation & creation of co-experiences
Social media companies’ interest is to capture our attention for as long and as frequently as possible, keeping us online and in front of our screens.
They also control what we all see on our ‘feed’, and unfortunately, by their nature, bad sentiments receive more traction and therefore are pushed by the algorithms to display on our feeds, leading to fake news, bullying and radical behavior.
Coing is designed to facilitate meaningful social and economic interactions in the physical world, to enable the local economy to thrive, and gather people into various groups of co-experiences (Cactus planting workshop, teaching elders tech, neighbor urban picnic, and the sky's the limit). Coing pushes people to create, participate and experience life together.
Instead of addicted passive users, we have connected active members.
The attention economy
vs.
the experience economy
The attention economy gives us everything for free in exchange for our attention.
“If you’re not paying for anything you’re the product”.
The social network giants make money off of advertising.
The attention economy is an unhealthy economic approach that distracts humanity from the important things in life.
The Experience Economy (first described in 1998) explains a shift in business models from purchasing goods and services to experiences.
Experiences make people happier than material possessions.
The bread and butter of our platform are co-experiences - people experiencing life together. Coing is designed to facilitate bottom-up, free and paid co-experiences, enabling community members to impact the community with real-life experiences.
The current trends on Coing are DIY workshops, pop-up culinary events (offline/online), and Helping elders in the neighborhood.
Coing connects people in the community for real life experiences, creating a sense of belonging, mutual responsibility, involvement, and a new local gig economy. Therefore increasing liveability and sustainability in local communities.
As a millennial (entering my 30s) I feel committed to try and change the way we interact, consume and treat our natural resources for future generations. I believe with all my heart that truly connected local communities can overcome any present and future challenges in our beautiful world.