Most social media posts function as phatic communication meant to maintain bonds

Evidence

While most Twitter messages are not substantive in and of themselves, Vincent Miller argues that they serve as phatic communication—as small talk that has the explicit purpose of “expressing sociability and maintaining connections or bonds.” — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update, 562

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines ‘phatic communication’ — a key term for the field that names what most social media posts actually do.
• XREF: connects to: Relationship dynamics dominate factual content in communication. — Holm Gero Hümmler, Ulrike Schiesser, Fact and Prejudice: How to Communicate…, 135; Trivial social media posts create emotional intimacy through ambient awareness — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update: Celebrity, Publicity,…, 562; Timely diaristic posts function as bids for social response rather than crafted prose — Theresa M. Senft, Camgirls: Celebrity and Community in…, 170

Broader Connections

• Relationship dynamics dominate factual content in communication. #corroborates (0.85) — Holm Gero Hümmler, Ulrike Schiesser, Fact and Prejudice, 135
• Trivial social media posts create emotional intimacy through ambient awareness #exemplifies (0.85) — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update, 562