Social media platforms, with their algorithms and echo chambers, made it easy to believe that the numbers represented people eagerly awaiting my next post, my next big idea. It’s a mirage, a superficial layer that didn’t capture the depth of real human connections. But I can’t blame the platforms alone. My self-importance is equally responsible.
The term “audience” reduces people to:
- passive viewers or readers who are just there to consume
- data points that fill up the fan/follower quota
A “network” is more dynamic. It’s more about engagement, exchange and mutual growth. This means just as much listening and learning.