The Disembarking of Columbus is a rather small nevertheless well detailed 19th century marble sculpture by an unknown artist. It sits on the MUNAL Museo Nacional de Arte / National Art Museum in Mexico City.
It depicts many scenes, from the amazement of Columbus to the indigenous woman with a child tuning their back on them. The crew is actively securing the ship and one of the sailors is kissing the land they set their feet on as a grateful gesture for safely arriving.
You can see how goods are downloaded from the ship into the land as other sailor secures the vessel from a rough sea, and another sets a flag as a sign of conquest.
Animals carved on the sides of the ship. An elephant on the bow, a lion on the side, some birds and sea creatures along with serpents, angels and an ox at the stern.
This sculpture is a work I really enjoy, and I take pictures to it every time I go to that museum. The light it has is not enough for a good photograph and flashes are prohibited. Maybe next time with a different lens I may take better photos to show you how amazing this piece really is.
Now you are in the mood for some thoughts about social media.
Social media has come a long way since its inception. In its early days, social media platforms were primarily used to connect people with one another and share their lives with friends and family. However, over the years, social media has evolved to become a powerful tool for businesses, marketers, and advertisers to reach potential customers.
One of the most significant changes in social media has been the shift towards decreasing user discoverability. In the past, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter were designed to make it easy for users to find and connect with one another. However, as social media platforms have become more crowded and competitive, some platforms have started to prioritize monetization over user experience.
As a result, platforms like Instagram and TikTok have made changes to their algorithms that have made it more difficult for users to be discovered. These changes have been particularly frustrating for content creators and small businesses who rely on social media to reach their audiences.
On Instagram, for example, the algorithm favors posts that are likely to receive engagement quickly. This means that posts from accounts with large followings or those that receive a lot of likes and comments are more likely to be seen by users. For smaller accounts, this can make it incredibly difficult to grow their audience.
Similarly, on TikTok, the platform has made changes to its “For You” page algorithm, which is the main way that users discover new content. The algorithm now favors content from popular creators and videos that are likely to keep users engaged for longer periods of time. This can make it difficult for new creators to gain traction on the platform.
While these changes may be frustrating for users, they are understandable from the perspective of the platforms. Social media companies are for-profit businesses, and their primary goal is to generate revenue. By prioritizing content that is likely to keep users engaged and active on the platform, social media companies can attract more advertisers and generate more revenue.
However, these changes also highlight the need for users to diversify their online presence. Relying solely on social media to reach an audience is risky, as platforms can make changes to their algorithms at any time. By building an email list, creating a website, and engaging with their audience on multiple platforms, content creators and businesses can mitigate the risk of being negatively impacted by changes in social media algorithms.
The changes in social media algorithms that prioritize monetization over user discoverability can be frustrating for users. However, these changes are understandable from the perspective of social media companies, and they highlight the importance of diversifying one’s online presence. As social media continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these changes impact user behavior and the overall landscape of online marketing.