Aesthetic vs Augmented Value of Social Media

In order to understand the future of social media, one must understand the future of technology. Check out this video, which shows how Pranav Mistry’s SixthSense integrates the digital and physical worlds.

Using SixthSense, I foresee we will point to an article in a magazine and “Like” it. Two people will “friend” each other on Facebook or follow each other on Twitter by shaking hands. People will converse, one will mention they enjoy Italian food, the other will mention a great Italian restaurant three blocks away, and the first will “Like” it by smiling.

The aesthetic value of social media (interdependent value based on physical interactions) has existed since the world’s first social interaction. Current technologies (Facebook’s “Like” button and Google’s +1 button) rely on an augmented value of social media (value based on the use of artificial intelligence). SixthSense will integrate these two values by encouraging people to exchange ideas and emotions through human interactions they can further exchange in the digital world.

Think of it this way, when investing money, it is better to invest in that which gives the greater return over the longer period of time. Apply that to relationships. There is usually greater emotional return in developing relationships with people we interact with in the physical world. For that reason, one should invest more time in the aesthetic value of social media than in the augmented value of social media.

In other words, get out there, shake some hands, and smile.  You’ll add greater value to your life and the lives of those around you.

Stay social my friends,

Erick