Kudos Over Polarization: Can All Social Media Be More Like Strava?
It would make the world a lot nicer.
Welcome! For those who are new here – I’m Arne, a passionate cyclist and engineer with an interest in AI. I explore how technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is transforming sports – or not – and what it means for athletes, coaches and sport enthusiasts. Be sure to check my social channel (Strava this time!!) as well:
I feel like a bit of a hypocrite. I am writing this article knowing that I am on social media quite a lot and not just Strava. I believe – or at least tell myself – that it is below average. Being completely transparent: as we speak, it is Thursday evening and I checked my screen time for the week. Right on top, my two favorites: Strava and Instagram. Together, they amount to 3 hours. I think it is still a lot over the course of 4 days, but after reading that the average person spends 2 hours and 24 min PER DAY on social media, I am pretty proud.
I am even more proud to see that Strava is on top and not Instagram, Facebook, X or TikTok. Not that I am on any of the latter three, but it comforts me that I am not completely handed over to the big tech companies' algorithms. The only algorithm controlling me is the one deciding whose activity shows up first in my Strava feed. And god, how nice would it be if this would be the same for everyone.
Please Strava, enlighten us
It is – to put it mildly – turbulent times and social media are definitely not making things easier. Billionaires are buying social media platforms and turning them into echo chambers that promote their own good. The people who scream the loudest and with the least nuance get picked up by algorithms and rise to the top of our feeds. The subjects that resonate with us keep popping back up and we get caught in a bubble.
But not on Strava! No, on Strava you need to work for your post. You spend a long time working out – sometimes even hours – during which you have plenty of time to think of what your Strava title will be and what appropriate subtitle belongs to it. No brainless thoughts, unnuanced screaming around on Strava. Strava athletes think before they post. And that’s the difference.
Side note: I am disregarding all the “Afternoon Run”, “Sunny ride with <insert name>” type of titles. I hate those and you will not get my Kudos. Put some work in your Strava title ffs. Thanks.
A call to everyone on social media
Writing a Strava title is a subtle art. I am sure many of my followers will not understand all of mine. Some refer to something only the people on the same ride experienced. Some refer to recurring inside jokes. Some hint at previous rides, so you will only understand if you are a close follower on Strava. Some include a reference to how I feel. Some reveal my take on “things”. But it can all be pretty vague and surely not be understood by everyone (which is on me and not on them!). But that is absolutely fine! Strava is not about screaming the loudest and most controversial stuff to get attention. If I made a few people chuckle while reading my Strava title – one that took me three hours to come up with – then I’m a happy man
And I wish more people used social media that way: post like Strava.