As much as it claims to be social, it’s really more of a publishing platform. The conventions of “likes”, “re-tweets”, and even replies give all the indications of being interactions, but for the most part, they’re really just another form of publishing. The designers of social media have appropriated the markers of human connection, but without creating true connections between people for the most part. Real and true engagement requires attention past a thumb flick; a commitment to speak and listen through a back and forth to go past the surface. Because real life isn’t happening on the surface; it never has, and nor should it. If you want to engage with someone, you have to give them your time and attention - there’s no way around it.

And so while we’ve been led to believe we’re better equipped to communicate today than ever before, our tools have fooled us. In the end, there’s no app to do the hard work of conversation for us.