[psyc]

I don't get it either. I can only assume it's either a generational thing, or me not understanding things most people like. I've gone back, looked at, and tried to understand it several times, and I just can't see why I'd want to look at it or use it.

"I want everybody to see this photo I took"

"Cheers, I have seen your photo"

I guess that's extremely compelling to folks.

[ryanwaggoner]

"I want everyone to read this comment I wrote."

"Cheers, I have read your comment."

[psyc]

That illustrates what I'm getting at, because I can't see the similarity. When I read a comment, I can become informed about something or be challenged. When I see someone's photo of just about anything ... that's where I draw a blank. It would be a different story perhaps if I took the time to curate a follow-list that was all computer graphicists and mathematicians, but that's what I use Twitter for.

[cmehdy]

Building a list of interesting people to follow is the biggest part. Keep in mind that this is visual communication, so there will definitely be a bias towards photographers, artists, journalists.. Not everyone is able to communicate visually well either, and the format prevents long textual explanations and favours a more emotional response.

National Geographic has a few accounts (natgeo, natgeocreative..), NASA shares interesting tidbits about current missions, Magnum photography has interesting pieces of visual journalism, many unknown journalists use it to explore projects that do not always resonate with current trends in the media/their workplace.. There's decent content on Instagram, although it isn't easy to find.

[ryanwaggoner]

Informing or challenging is a tiny fraction of the different reasons to communicate.

[CuriouslyC]

Comments are more likely to be a vehicle for raising awareness about something meaningful than pictures.

[ryanwaggoner]

I don't know that I would state it so strongly, but regardless, most of life isn't about raising awareness of meaningful things, and probably shouldn't be.

[carlesfe]

That's where new generations disagree with you :)