How Hive Changed the Way I See Social Media

Hive has been a wonderful platform that has not only helped me but also changed my perspective about social media and the use of the internet at large. Prior to Hive, I was the kind of person who was almost always online whenever I was less busy, either watching comedy skits, getting updates on news and happening around me, or writing. And most common of all was looking for an opportunity to win something via different organisations that often run promotions with giveaways for participants to win. I did this for lots of years and won different prizes, and back then I thought that was the height of gaining from the internet, until I learnt about Hive, came on board and got glued to it.

You see, like I stated earlier, I've been into writing and content creation prior to joining Hive. Back then, I even created a Facebook page where I wrote stories, motivational messages and the like, but one thing Hive did was show me any aspects of the online community in an angle where engagement, creating content and connecting with others feel meaningful. Especially regarding the fact that via Hive I no longer just post for people to know I'm a writer, but now I post with the intention of contributing my perspective to a conversation, from sharing my opinion and experiences to many more, to name but a few. Beyond that, Hive also gave me an opportunity to earn via my every engagement on the platform, unlike how other social media platforms like Facebook require one to have a certain amount of followers and community engagement before you can earn, giving me a sense of belonging.

Like I said in the first paragraph, I've had the opportunity to earn via other social media platforms before, but those were via me participating in giveaways published by organisations that want to promote their business or new products, and their requirements span across different criteria, from reblogging their post to commenting on a certain wording, even sharing your own take of their products, while tagging them and having massive engagement from your followers. Through these I've won cash gifts and even items such as phones, microwave ovens, wristwatches, collections of body cream and deodorant, among many others, to name but a few. While I participate in this, I can't help but get burdened by the need to beg, and it seems like a beggar who's begging others to engage on my post, comment and the likes before I can win. But with Hive, everything is actually quite easy; I don't need to promote Hive or any community within it. I don't need to beg people for engagement before I can earn.

Hive has through the years made me realise that not all social media platforms are all about bringing content to your sights based on what the algorithm shows me, because Hive shows you literally everything if you've the time to go through all, from what's related to my interest to creativity and community that I wouldn't have come across had I been on most traditional social media platforms. And over time, all of these have changed how I spend my time online. Not that I don't visit other social media platforms again; in fact, I still create content there, but not as consistently as I'm on Hive, and that's because I've become more intentional about exploring different kinds of content that are real and meet actual needs, over endless strolling just to watch comedy skits. Overall, Hive has added a new dimension to my online experience, making it a place I can learn, contribute and connect.

Here's my entry for the Indiaunited weekly prompt, to participate click on this link.

All photos are generated using ChatGpt.