I wonder if everyone would be just as satisfied if they typed something into a box, hit post, and it went nowhere at all. How much of the reason people instinctively post is just catharsis?
This feeling of catharsis is why temporary posts have become the dominant format on social media. Snapchat figured this out and introduced disappearing messages and 24 hour stories—features that every major platform has since adopted. So much of what we post isn’t for others but for ourselves, and what started as a novel concept has evolved into the primary way we share our daily lives online.
Instagram’s implementation of Stories demonstrates why temporary posts are so compelling. By separating ephemeral content from the traditional feed, Stories provide a more intimate viewing experience with a definitive end. Stories also offer immediate feedback, with view counts replacing the depracated like system. A comment on a story is really just a DM and shifts the context of the resulting conversation from a public interaction to a private, personal message.
Temporary posts offer a sweet spot between permanence and transiece. They’re public enough to reach our social circles, while their 24 hour lifespan alleviates the pressure that comes from leaving a lasting digital footprint. Invisible to the public, they remain archived for future reference. They satisfy our need for immediate expression while preserving our favorite moments in time.