Seems obvious, but I don't think I've seen this written elsewhere: the growth in popularity of WhatsApp group chats is probably a function many things, but most interestingly:
(1) Example: I act differently around friends than with that one college professor I keep in touch with, which is different again than my roommates.
WhatsApp recognizes this reality. You get to segment yourself, your interests, and --most importantly-- your injokes.
WhatsApp recognizes this reality. You get to segment yourself, your interests, and --most importantly-- your injokes.
(2) I don't think we've quite figured out the societal impact of having everything we say being publicly searchable and documented forever. For better or worse, jackass mistakes people make as teenagers can impact careers and relationships decades later.
(3) I'm not one for 2020 predictions (try @jmj, two doors down😉), but it would not surprise me if we moved away from "public square" online dynamics to "small intimate online dinner party" online dynamics.
@jmj Bonus thought: I've been using a WhatsApp broadcast list (faq.whatsapp.com/en/iphone/2378…) to keep family & friends updated post-surgery. Think of it as bcc for WhatsApp — messages appear 1:1 for everyone on the list. Allows me to send updates and have people respond individually.
Unexpected cool side-effect of WhatsApp broadcast lists for sharing surgery and recovery updates/pictures:
Updates go to the 1:1 contact thread, so I’ve had more fun/meaningful side conversations with different friends.
Makes being in snowy MN more social. Bullish on WhatsApp.
Updates go to the 1:1 contact thread, so I’ve had more fun/meaningful side conversations with different friends.
Makes being in snowy MN more social. Bullish on WhatsApp.
