Going Global

Let's get preachy about our "global community" on the internet. We have the tools to connect with anyone in the world thanks to modern advances in tech. Things like instant translation, global social platforms, and communities built around shared interests have opened so many doors for us to engage across borders. Across oceans! But having the tools doesn’t mean we’re using them meaningfully. Despite the appearance of a borderless digital space, many of us stay within the same familiar circles that mirror our own language, culture, or region.

Even when we engage on “global” platforms, our networks are often shaped by algorithms that prioritize what’s comfortable and familiar, so we mostly interact with people who think like us, live near us, or speak our language. Now, this might not be true depending on how the algorithm has defined you personally. Folks who truly engage in a global community might, in turn, have their algorithm offer less localized suggestions. Either way, I believe that the promise of international collaboration is real, but many of us lack the effort it takes to move beyond our digital backyard.

If we want to truly embrace a global community, it requires intentionality. That means stepping outside of our algorithmic comfort zones and listening to voices we don't usually hear. We can be global citizens, we should be global citizens, but we need to shift our mindset and put in the effort if we ever want to achieve a true global community. Or maybe it already exists and nobody told me. That is also a possibility.