Social media is revolutionizing not just how we interact but how we create and consume content.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s no secret that social media has become an integral part of our lives. From connecting with friends and family to staying updated on the latest news and trends, social media platforms have transformed the way we communicate.
However, the social media landscape is constantly evolving, and it’s essential, especially for content creators, enterprises, and even investors, to stay ahead of the curve to understand where it’s headed. It is never fun to be caught flat-footed.
X (formerly Twitter) — the World’s Largest Media House
Let’s start by highlighting the incredible transformation of X (formerly Twitter).
Once a platform primarily known for short text updates and character limits, Twitter has evolved into something more significant. It has evolved into arguably the world’s largest media house.
With over 500 million monthly active users and over 500 million tweets sent daily, X is no longer just a place to share thoughts in 280 characters or less. It’s a hub for news, entertainment, and even commerce.
Recently, X implemented a policy of sharing revenue with content creators. That will likely make the platform host even more interesting content.
The History of Social Media
To understand where social media is headed, we must first take a quick trip down memory lane and trace its evolution.
Social media started with short text updates, with early platforms like MySpace and initial versions of Facebook and Twitter leading the way. These platforms allowed users to share their thoughts and updates in a concise format.
The next significant phase was the transition to images, with Instagram emerging as the poster child of visual content sharing. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about what you had to say but how you could visually express it.
Then came the era of video, with platforms like YouTube and Instagram doubling down on video content. People started vlogging, sharing tutorials, and showcasing their talents in video format.
More recently, thanks to platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, we’ve witnessed a growing embrace of short videos. These bite-sized videos have become a new form of entertainment and self-expression, capturing our attention in seconds.
What’s the Next Big Thing?
So, what’s next for social media? What is likely to be the in-thing in the next decade?
Well, if we pay attention to current trends and emerging technologies, the next big thing will be short audio.
Short Audio: The Future of Social Media?
Audio has already made its mark in various ways. For instance, we have podcasts that have gained immense popularity, offering in-depth discussions, storytelling, and entertainment. But short audio on social media is a different beast entirely.
When we talk about short audio on social media, there are several exciting areas of exploration.
- Entertaining Short Audio
Just like TikTok brought us bite-sized video entertainment, we can expect platforms to do the same with audio. Imagine quick bursts of drama, comedy sketches, or witty one-liners that grab your attention and make you laugh in seconds.
- The Music Component
Music has always been a significant part of our lives, and short audio on social media can amplify its presence. Users can share snippets of songs, create musical challenges, or simply express their creativity through short musical compositions.
- The Emotional Sound Experience
Beyond words, images, and videos, a whole world of emotions can be conveyed through sound. Sharing emotion-provoking audio, such as birds chirping, wind blowing in the desert, or forest waterfalls, could easily become cool. It’s like transporting your followers to a different world through their headphones.
- Healing Capabilities
Here’s an intriguing possibility — the next phase of social media might involve sharing audio with healing capabilities. This brings us to Solfeggio frequencies — known for their healing capabilities.
Solfeggio frequencies are a set of ancient musical scales with specific healing properties. These frequencies have been used for centuries to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Each frequency is associated with different effects, such as relaxation, healing, and spiritual growth.
Imagine being able to share audio clips that help reduce stress, improve focus, or induce a sense of calm. It’s like sending a virtual spa day to your followers; this concept could revolutionize how we use social media for self-care.
The Technology Behind Audio-Based Social Media
Now, what’s likely to enable the emergence of audio-based social media? The answer is technology.
Just a few years ago, only highly equipped studios could produce high-quality audio like Binaural Sound and 3D audio. However, with the rapid advancement of technology, it’s becoming increasingly possible for ordinary people to produce such audio using nothing more than their smartphones.
The Power of Smartphones
Modern smartphones come equipped with the capacity to record and process high-quality audio. This means you can record high-quality audio on the go, capture the sounds of nature, create music, or share your thoughts and stories.
Additionally, a growing ecosystem of audio editing apps and software makes enhancing and manipulating audio recordings easier than ever. One such platform is SoundsOfThings, a platform that offers an experience of sampling geo-locked sounds created and posted by users.
This audio production democratization opens up new possibilities for creativity on social media and, indeed, the new world of the metaverse.
Decentralized future
Besides focusing on audio more, decentralization is the other path social media will likely take in the coming decade. It has to adapt to the emerging Web3. The social media built for Web3 has been called SocialFi.
With SocialFi, content creators, consumers, and advertisers have more control over how the platform functions and how value is created and shared.
Besides innovating an audio-based social media, SoundsOfThings is also designed to function on a decentralized network, giving all stakeholders control over how value is created and shared.
The Sonic Future of Social Media
As social media evolves, we can expect short audio to significantly shape its future. The possibilities are vast and exciting, from entertaining short clips to healing Solfeggio frequencies.
With technology making high-quality audio production accessible to everyone, we’re on the cusp of a sonic revolution in social media. We are also witnessing the beginning of an era when social media will cease being a platform controlled by one entity or person.
So, keep your ears open and get ready to embrace the next big wave of online content — it’s going to sound fantastic!
About Sounds of Things.
Sounds of Things is an ambitious and visionary project that provides a much-needed alternative to mainstream metaverse attempts. By building the first user-owned, blockchain-based sound metaverse, Sounds of Thingsunlocks creative possibilities for audio innovators. Its team and community are motivated by a shared belief in sound’s power to bring people together and enable profound human experiences.
To learn more or get involved with shaping the future of sound, check out the Sounds of Things website and White Paper.
This is just the beginning of an exciting new paradigm for audio creation.