I think what we are missing is a collaborative inter-dependence. Which is what those real communities you mention had: the work of everyone contributes to the well-being of the whole. We allow ourselves to be vulnerable in a natural way — we have to be open to the group if we want to receive and contribute.

This is something that is completely missing in social media; it gives us no reason to collaborate in an inter-dependent way. I give you a like, you re-tweet my shit, and we’re over.

Very interesting piece Matthew!