Social Media and Identity Reshaping Analysis

Natasha Mulenga

Natasha Mulenga

The Algorithm and The Self: How Social Media is Quietly Reshaping Our Ambitions Context Review | Technology & Society
THE CHALLENGE Context Review, a publication dedicated to the sociology of technology, needed a piece that moved beyond standard critiques of screen time. They wanted a deep, systemic analysis of how platforms don't just capture attention, but actively reshape personal identity and ambition, appealing to readers who think critically about their digital lives.
MY APPROACH I constructed a narrative that moves from a cultural observation (the normalization of platforms like OnlyFans) to a foundational theory of "outsourced ambition." The piece breaks down the technical mechanism of algorithmic feedback loops in accessible language and grounds the theory in contrasting human stories—one of someone drawn into a new lifestyle, and another who actively resisted the pressure. This structure transforms an abstract concept into a relatable, investigatory read.
THE RESULT The article provides a coherent framework for readers to audit their own relationship with social media, fulfilling Context Review's mission to publish insightful commentary on tech's human impact. It stands as a prime example of translating complex systems thinking into a compelling, story-driven narrative that prompts genuine introspection.
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Posted Dec 12, 2025

Explores how social media algorithms don't just show us what we want, but quietly teach us what to want, reshaping our ambitions.