Introverts of the World, We’re Taking Back the Internet

Five years ago, I published an article about how introverts like me were losing our privileged position online. The rise of visual social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok favored extroverts and photogenic people, leaving little room for those of us who prefer to express ourselves through text.

Five years later, the digital world has evolved differently than expected. Now, it offers new opportunities for those of us more comfortable with pauses and words than choreography and poses.

Five years ago, the Internet (open, chronological, distributed via feed, starring written text) seemed to be on its way out. Short video clips and algorithmic content were taking over.

While YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram continue to grow, the Internet has evolved, and text remains the preferred format for conveying detailed information and in-depth analysis. However, there are cases where it can’t even compete with the accuracy of video. In short, blogging isn’t extinct: It has found specialized niches to thrive where audiences are still hungry for written content.

The resurgence of the written word has also come from platforms like Substack, which has revived the newsletter format. The renaissance of email as an intimate yet mass communication medium has allowed writers and thinkers to cultivate a loyal audience without exposing their image or adopting a code they’re uncomfortable with. The intimate depth of a newsletter contrasts with the superficiality of social media platforms, providing a refuge for complex ideas and leisurely reflection.

Podcasting experienced a significant boom in 2020, providing another avenue of expression for the digitally shy. It’s not the written word, but a microphone is far less hostile and demanding than a camera. It allows you to convey ideas and establish connections with the audience without the pressure of constant visual exposure.

Many of us introverts have found podcasts to be an ideal medium for sharing our knowledge and perspectives. We use the intimacy of audio to create deep connections with listeners in a way that other channels don't provide.

The reach is a fraction of a successful TikTok video, but the connection with the creator is quite different. It’s not an accidental fifteen-second connection through algorithmic scrolling, it’s a daily connection of several minutes after intentionally hitting the play button.

These trends have created a more diverse digital ecosystem where different forms of communication coexist. Introverts are no longer confined to the margins of the Internet but have found new spaces where our strengths—reflection, careful writing, and slow communication—are valued and sought after.

But it would be naive to think we’ve won some cultural battle on the Internet. The reality is more complex. The digital space is segmented, with different platforms and formats satisfying different needs and preferences. Visual social media platforms continue to dominate in terms of volume. Still, they don’t monopolize attention or exclusively define online success.

This diversification is a double-edged sword. On one hand, we have more ways than ever to express ourselves and connect with like-minded audiences. On the other hand, the fragmentation of attention makes it harder to stand out in an ever-growing ocean of content.

The future of the Internet for introverts will depend on our ability to adapt and use new tools without losing who we are—a balance between the authenticity of our voice and the need to catch the new waves.

Ultimately, we’re not taking back the Internet but assisting with the reconfiguration of digital space that allows for a greater diversity of voices and styles. We can shine on our terms without mimicking the successful models of visual social media platforms.

The Internet of 2024 is more complex and nuanced than the Internet of 2019. For the timid, this means we have more opportunities to find our place and make our voices heard. If we play our cards right, we can help shape an Internet that values depth of thought as much as the immediacy of images.

Image | Soundtrap (Unsplash)

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