I Joined SpaceHey in Honor of…

I joined SpaceHey in honor of MySpace!

With the format and design of this new platform, it is clear to see that it is an ode to the legendary MySpace layout and spirit. And, I certainly believe that this sort of platform is needed in this new era of social media normalcy. Many of the other platforms have earned the reputation of bolstering superficiality and only providing insights into the highlights of people’s lives. That isn’t an issue entirely, but it does come with its drawbacks as we’ve come to learn over the years (mental illness, bullying, heightened profiling, etc).

SpaceHey is not immune to some of these same dynamics developing on its platform; however, I believe the design and function of this social medium is prone to promote activity of greater substance. Hence, why I’m even taking the time to publish a post about what brought me to this platform on my bulletin. This may be the first time I’ve ever taken a moment to explain why I’m participating in being on a social media platform in my life, so that’s definitely saying something.

I joined MySpace sometime back in what had to be 2003 or 2004 shortly after it launched, and it was the beginning of what I would consider my “mastery over social media.” Not only had I begin to be more intentional with my online activity – no matter how subconscious that intention may have been – but I also began to develop my online persona in what soon came to be signature-branded fashion. By the mid-2000s, I saw myself experimenting with my image and fashion more than ever before (skinny jeans, Nike dunks, costume-jewelry rope chains, designs cut into my hair, and replica designer shades to name a few). MySpace was the beginning of a concerted effort to brand myself through the types of photos I uploaded, the music I would place on my page, my top friends, and a nickname that has stood the test of time (Flow, which is shorthand for Flowjo Stevo).

Now that SpaceHey is here in the midst of the war between Instagram and TikTok and the rising interests in the metaverse, it will be interesting to see how the masses gravitate to this space. Will people see the emergence of a MySpace-like social media platform through the same nostalgic-gaze as myself and lean into the social media behavior of old, or will this platform simply become a hybrid of what already exists? Is my account of what MySpace was to me representative of the general users experience to begin with?

Only time will truly tell. But, I’m here for this platform and will use it with the same level of intention as I did when MySpace first hopped on the scene. If there are particular subjects and/or topics you’d be interested in hearing me touch on, feel free to drop those in the comments.

My name is Steven “Flow” Pacheco and I am a culture-focused entrepreneur who is often called on to provide brand management, business development, and creative direction to other small-businesses, nonprofit organizations, and entertainment professionals. Yoga helps me remain centered and grounded and I’ll use any excuse to find a beach and vibe out when the opportunity presents itself.

Peace and love,

Steven “Flow” Pacheco