It has become something of a cliche to say that social media has become a more hostile environment in recent years. But then again, cliches usually arise because something is true. Scrolling through algorithm-driven feeds now often means bracing yourself to read content that is aimed to provoke: misinformation, outrage-bait, or just whatever the worst people on the platform have decided to vomit into the space today. Places we used to gather have become their very own torment nexus, and it’s all the more important to seek out other spaces with less of an emotional toll.
Livestreaming is an example of a world which has grown far beyond its early reputation as a niche corner of the internet; one that was initially primarily about performance but has become more about presence. The appeal of such platforms isn’t polish or virality, it’s something much simpler: showing up at the same time as other people, knowing you’ll be recognized and welcomed when you do.
How social feeds stopped feeling safe
For many users, feeds no longer feel neutral. Recommendation systems beat all pretence of nuance out of the space. Paid users are prioritized, creating a caste system where the loudest and often nastiest voices are amplified. For marginalized people especially, this makes for a system where ambient hostility is the backdrop. Reaction is the name of the game, and it is inhospitable for those who wish to find community and support.
This isn’t just about politics or controversy. It’s about the sense that you are being pulled along by an ecosystem designed for a purpose that doesn’t include you. In contrast, a livestream is bounded. It begins, it ends, and you decide whether or not to be there.
Being there in real time
Going live - or participating in someone else’s stream - shifts the relationship between creator and audience. You’re not consuming something optimized for engagement and hate-clicks. You’re participating in something that unfolds in real time. There is room for pauses, inside jokes, and regulars who greet one another by name.
Community-building through streaming is often most visible in smaller, intentional spaces; a good example is those formed around trans Twitch streamers, whose channels tend to center care, moderation and mutual respect as much as entertainment. Streaming channels offer a snapshot of how the medium can function as a genuine social environment and a force for inclusion rather than a content funnel that prioritizes immediacy.
Staying, not scrolling
Livestreams ask something different from their viewers: time. You don’t read, then react, then wait - you stay. You listen. You recognize regulars, and you participate in a conversation. The slowness of the process compared with quick-hit posting becomes part of the appeal.
In a culture which has become obsessed with creating the most attention in the shortest form of words - and therefore flattening difference - there is something quietly radical about choosing to linger, listen and understand. Long-form presence prevents the tendency to lob rocks and then retreat to enjoy the reaction. It creates accountability and brings people in. It feels more human - and most importantly, it frees us all from the bear-pit of optimized antagonism.
Post a Comment