Conversation with the Network

The internet is not merely a broadcast medium. It's a living nervous system of ideas and responses, signals and feedback. When you "create content," you participate in this matrix of information and affinity.

I call this "the Loop," inspired by the famous OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act). The Loop adapts that concept for social media specifically:

1. Post: Ship your thinking into the world.
2. Listen: See how people react, which ideas resonate the most.
3. Synthesize: Digest the reactions, find patterns, evolve your understanding.
4. Iterate: Post again, informed by what you learned.

The Loop is dialogue at scale. Each cycle builds on the last. Your audience grows through the compounding effects of authentic engagement:

• Each post creates surface area for connection.
• Each reaction reveals what matters to your community.
• Each synthesis deepens your understanding.
• Each iteration strengthens the relationship.

Your network expands as you demonstrate:

• You're listening, not just broadcasting.
• You're thinking in public, not just performing.
• You're building with the community, not just for them.

Hidden dynamics#

The Loop seems simple, but contains multitudes:

• Timing: Only a small subset of your audience is listening at any given moment. The Loop facilitates reaching different segments over time.
• Evolution: Your message evolves naturally through interaction. The network helps you discover the most meaningful and salient narratives.
• Memory: Repetition leads to remembering. The Loop ensures that you're repeating what resonates with the community, beyond your individual taste.

Running the Loop#

Principles to keep in mind:

1. Ship to learn: Don't wait for perfection. Each post is a probe into the network.
2. Listen actively: Reactions aren't just metrics. They're signals about what your community values.
3. Stay curious: Let yourself be surprised by what emerges. The best conversations have unexpected turns.
4. Build on response: When an idea hits, dive deeper. When it doesn't, pivot gracefully.

The Loop is endless because community conversations never truly end. Each cycle strengthens the connection between you and your network, building something more valuable than a passive audience. You're not accumulating followers, you're cultivating resonance.

Inspired by a conversation with Jihad of Native.

Previously: “10-year narratives.”