Evolution of Communities : From Local to Global to Digital!
A Community is more than just shared experiences, thoughts & values. It’s life & existence itself!
“Alone we can do so little; together, we can do so much” - Helen Keller
Remember when our parents used to warn us not to talk to strangers? Those same strangers are now our friends, comrades, and community!
Communities are great gateways into the pleasures of tomorrow filled with self-awareness, defined purpose, and self-growth. At first, you may feel a little uneasy joining a community but this displeasure & discomfort is just a temporary stop; once you cross it, you will be miles away from that uneasiness, reaching your own true self.
Communities create a sense of belonging for their members and that sense of belonging is more than just a feeling, it’s the very fabric that holds our perception of being humans. Community is not just the people, it’s about a source of pride, a sense of validation, a place of comfort & shared values.
Communities have always been a part of human history. We have just been evolving; from ancient hunters to modern coders. If we go back in time, we would still find singers, builders, fighters, philosophers, and writers; those were the same communities as they are today, just modernized.
A brief history of Communities!
Communities are as old as humans. In the very beginning, our ancestors used to sit around a fire, sing folklore, share experiences, and tell stories. The very concept of a community used to be ‘Men with shared values.’
From the ancient hunters & storytellers to the musicians & artists today, communities have evolved, shaped, and grown but never ceased to exist. They are one of the most essential parts of human life. The flow of time couldn’t stop the growth and essence of communities. The most widely recognized communities are the ones that showcased the language of love & life truly. They are a value system filled with people outside of family & loved ones.
But how did we become social in the first place? The answer is simple. According to analysis, humans need social relatedness to survive. That’s why our ancestors didn’t just stop living in caves, instead, they got out and explored the world. Just imagine, if they had stayed in caves without any desire for exploration, what would have happened? We wouldn’t be able to discuss it via an online article, that’s for sure.
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Anyway, thanks to our ancestors we are here. Let’s spread out and explore, even if it's through the internet - let’s communicate, commute & join different communities to expand our horizons in this modern world.
Communities in the digital world!
Communities have always been defined based on location, identity, or organization. However, this was the truth before digitalization took over the world. Now, we can join any community around the world while being anywhere in the world.
For a discordant person, you couldn’t convey your thoughts by saying 100 words over & over. But for a like-minded person, it could be done in 3. You can find these like-minded people in great numbers around the world easily with the power of the internet. That’s the power digitalization gave us.
It gave us access to reach out to anyone anywhere around the world. With the help of platforms like Reddit, Instagram, and Twitter, we can be a part of any desired community. We have evolved from local to global to digital.
When we look around us or shall I say when we look at our phones, iPads, and laptops; it's impossible to miss the importance of social interactions. The evolution of the digital age has made social Interaction easier than ever.
Top companies like Lyft, Airbnb, Skillshare, YouTube, Disney, and Apple; what do they all have in common? They have invested their time & dime in building strong communities. Let’s take an example, Apple. What Apple did with its image around the world is astonishing. They built their image on trust, comfort, and luxury. Apple’s most famous product is the iPhone. Avid iPhone users; literally millions around the world, will buy their products without even any advertising because that’s the loyalty & trust they have in the brand. Apple invested its time in building a strong loyal community globally, and the results are in front of our eyes.
Strong global communities can build a common ground for people eradicating any differences in age, gender, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation creating a great framework to come under one common room of shared values.
Remember, you can take a thousand steps alone and still stay in the same spot in life without moving an inch. But you can move a thousand miles with just one step with the help of a community that understands & values your thoughts. That’s the power of a community!
Finally, Communities were and will always be one of the core concepts of humanity. So, Find your community. Find yourself.