Five years ago, I published an article titled ‘Shy people of the world, we are losing the internet’. We introverts were losing our privileged position on the internetThe rise of visual social networks like Instagram and TikTok has favored outgoing and photogenic people, leaving little room for those of us who prefer to express ourselves through text.

Five years later, The digital environment has evolved in a different way than expectedIt offers new opportunities for those of us who feel more comfortable with pauses and words rather than choreography and poses.

First, five years ago it seemed that the Web was (open, chronological, distributed). to feed(where written text played a leading role) was in decline. Short video clips and closed, algorithmic content were taking over.

While YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram continue to grow, the Web has also grown, and text remains the preferred format for conveying detailed information and in-depth analysis, although there are times when it can’t compete with the precision of video. The blog has not become extinct, it has found niches where it can thrive: there is still an audience eager for relevant written content.

The resurgence of the written word has also come courtesy of platforms like Substack, which has revived the newsletter format. The rebirth of email as an intimate yet mass medium has allowed writers and thinkers to build loyal audiences without having to reveal their image or adopt an uncomfortable code. The intimate depth that a newsletter allows contrasts with the superficiality of social networks offers a haven for complex ideas and slow thoughts.

Podcasting experience explosion In 2020, it offered another avenue of expression for those who were important and digitally intimidated. It’s not the written word, but the microphone is far less hostile and demanding than the camera. It allows you to communicate your ideas and connect with your audience without the pressure of constant visual display.

Many introverts find podcasts to be an ideal medium for sharing our knowledge and perspectives. Using the intimacy of sound to create deep connections with listeners in a way that other channels do not allow.

Reach is a very small part of a successful TikTok, but the connection with the creator is radically different: it’s not a fifteen-second connection through a network that just happens. draft They are algorithmic, deliberately daily connections that last a few minutes after the “play” button is pressed.

These trends have created a more diverse digital ecosystem where different forms of communication coexist. We shy people are no longer stuck on the fringes of the Internet: we have found new spaces where our strengths (thinking, careful writing, slow communication) are valued and sought after.

But, It would be naive to think that we’ve won some kind of cultural war on the internet.The truth is more complex: The digital landscape is fragmented, with different platforms and formats serving different needs and preferences. Visual social networks continue to dominate in volume, but they do not monopolize attention or define online success alone.

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

For the shy, the future of the internet will depend on our ability to adapt and leverage new tools without losing our essence. A balance between the authenticity of our voice and the need to catch new waves.

After all, We are not saving the internet, but rather witnessing the restructuring of the digital space This allows for a greater variety of voices and styles. We introverts can shine on our own terms, without having to emulate the successful models of visual networks.

The internet of 2024 is more complex and nuanced than the internet of 2019. For the shy, that means more opportunities to find our place and make our voices heard. And if done well, help shape an internet that values ​​depth of thought as much as immediacy of vision.

At Xataka | My 2021 goal is to take less sushi photos and record more traditional videos

Featured image | Xataka via Midjourney