In a recent discourse at the University of Virginia, Alexis Ohanian
co-founder of Reddit and the founder of venture fund Seven Seven Six, expressed complex sentiments about his creation and the broader social media landscape. While he harbored reservations about the current state of social media and the creator economy, he ultimately identified himself as a “techno-optimist,” echoing Marc Andreessen’s belief in technology’s problem-solving potential.
Ohanian acknowledged the pervasive culture of seeking likes, retweets, and upvotes in the online world, noting that it has conditioned people to prioritize validation over meaningful interactions. This trend, he lamented, has become more pronounced and concerning. However, he held onto his techno-optimism, believing that the pendulum will eventually swing back in a more positive direction, with a potential catalyst being the ongoing situation in the Middle East, which highlights the need for improved solutions.
Notably, Alexis Ohanian resigned from Reddit’s board in 2020 due to disagreements on moderation and the need to combat violent and hate-driven online communities. During that time, he advocated for his board seat to be filled by a Black member, a request that was granted with the appointment of Y Combinator partner Michael Seibel. In the aftermath, Reddit took steps to ban toxic communities, such as r/donaldtrup after the U.S. Capitol violence, resulting in a perceivably improved platform both in terms of content quality and as a business.
While acknowledging Reddit’s progress, Alexis Ohanian expressed concerns about the broader impact of social media. He highlighted how the constant race to be the first to share content on platforms has fueled the spread of misinformation, making it challenging for people to take a step back, wait for accurate information, and make informed responses.
Moreover, Alexis Ohanian reflected on the origins of social media platforms and how their rapid growth exceeded early expectations. He shared that Reddit emerged from his college days running a forum site, with no anticipation of the platform’s eventual influence, which now extends to shaping elections and democracies. He admitted that this unforeseen impact was a blind spot in his initial vision.
Alexis Ohanian identified another challenge stemming from the increased online population. Alexis Ohanian appreciated the broader accessibility to technology but recognized that it has introduced new complexities and potential for discord, as individuals are exposed to diverse perspectives in real-time, sometimes even encountering far-fetched beliefs like the flat Earth theory.
Addressing the challenge of verifying truth and accuracy on social media, Alexis Ohanian pointed out the difficulty of placing this responsibility on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit. He also critiqued TikTok for its role as an outlet for the Chinese government, emphasizing its tendency to cater to users’ desires rather than providing unfiltered truth.
Regarding content moderation, Alexis Ohanian praised Twitter’s Community Notes as an effective measure but raised questions about the analogy of social media platforms as public squares. He emphasized the lack of democratic elections in this context, highlighting the role of CEO’s as decision-makers.
Despite the challenges and the urgency surrounding the impact of social media on society, Alexis Ohanian maintained hope. He credited the founders he invests in through his fund 776 as being more aware of these issues than he was at their age. He anticipated that future platforms, while still addictive, could avoid further disrupting democracy. He also envisioned a resurgence of in-person gatherings and experiences as people seek authenticity beyond AI-driven curation.
In conclusion, Alexis Ohanian’s perspective, as a techno-optimist, reflects the delicate balance between acknowledging the problems within social media and retaining hope for a better, more connected future.
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