The most pivotal changes and developments throughout the history of mankind all started as an idea. The automobile, the sewer system, and the formation of the United States government first began as an innovative thought in just a few minds. For that thought to come to fruition, these people needed access to other people, partners, resources, and a support team to make their disruptive thought a reality.

Today, with a movement towards global interconnectedness and an emphasis on solo acting through social media, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of localised, community-support, established to do what it was always intended to do: drive innovation.

We’re going to look at why hyperlocal connectivity is still paramount for the world’s future inventions:

Support:

As human beings, science has proven we have a sense of needing to “belong.” We are social creatures, thriving through either extroverted or introverted communication on a daily basis to feel important. Through localised support, we are able to feel a sense of community that is not possible through acquaintances online. Think about it. What’s more fun — going to a community event with 12 of your best friends, or going to a gala with 50 of your distant acquaintances? Hyperconnectivity at the local level provides thinkers with the emotional support they need to feel like they can genuinely pursue their idea or innovative thought.

2. Exchange:

Sometimes, we come up with a plan that needs fine-tuning. We might be close to a breakthrough if only we had a third party perspective to weigh in before we finalise the idea. People in communities generally share common likes and characteristics, which means if these people were able to come together and share those ideas, new ideas might even be created. In a local setting, innovation is able to come to fruition faster as needs in the local market are more accurately met through collaboration.

3. Resources:

Localised businesses require local resources to make their dream a reality. When these local businesses invest locally, every dollar is felt exponentially more at multiple levels locally. If local resources are exchanged between local entities, micro-communities will be strengthened and therefore more capable of working on future projects and business launches. Combined; it will be felt on an international scale in the form of economic development.

We need to leverage today’s technologies to facilitate hyperlocal connectivity and allow people to form more meaning connections online. To promote a change in the emphasis on individual focus on social media at a global level to a community focus using social media at a local level.