[pessimizer]

> If you are in multiple group chats and have something to say (e.g. a life update), do you post in each individually? Or do you pick and choose which groups get the update?

Where's the problem here? Too many options and too much control? Nothing's stopping you from blasting every group chat you're in other than that you'll annoy the people in chats that don't want to hear about your problems. Maybe just send to your family and close friends.

> now some people get the same update twice - are they supposed to react in both?

This is a non-problem. Do people have to react to everything you say every place where you've said it? Is it difficult to decide how to deal with getting news over the phone and having that person announce the same news at the book club meeting? How will you know where to answer?

[noisenotsignal]

Broadcast-type announcements can be a little weird to announce in a group chat though. A very basic example, but let’s say you’re in a group chat mainly for gaming together. Are you going to be the first to make a big personal announcement, like “I just bought a house”? You could, but it almost feels weird in that you’re specifically putting the spotlight on yourself and also soliciting direct responses (some of which might just be a token “congrats!”). Whereas if you post a similar announcement on Facebook, Instagram Stories, etc, nobody feels compelled to respond unless they really want to.

You could say “if you don’t think people care, only tell your close family and friends”. But broadcast announcements can cause more spontaneous reactions from people, and I often find myself reconnecting, even if only in a short conversation, with people I don’t generally talk to otherwise. It’s a better way for staying connected with old friends, who you might not have reason to talk to frequently (e.g. via group chat), but would happily spend a day catching up with if you were in the same city.