Why private groups still have a place in our public world.

The value of exclusivity

The 21st century has brought with it a new age of public connectivity. We now reap the benefits daily of the spread and proliferation of everything from social media platforms to digital knowledge sharing mediums. The ability for people throughout the world to share what they know and have their say in situations that affect us all is both profoundly impactful and something worth celebrating.

However, this rush towards a public future is also seen by many as a rejection of the private groups of our past.

Indeed, it’s no secret that the term ‘private’ has become somewhat of a taboo in the digital age. We often think of private discussion as taking place within shadowy communities. We conjure images of those who work quietly behind the scenes for their own aims or goals to the detriment of others.

In part, this is an understandable point of view. The concept of some private groups and the deep-running negative connotations they raise are nothing new for humans as a society. This is why the often-referenced reason for the rejection of private groups in digital spaces is to eliminate ingroup and outgroup mentalities.

This also is an understandable pursuit. As many harmful interactions, from schoolyard…