'Instagram' is a media company. I think we're about visual media.

Host: The buzz of the busy café mingled with the clink of coffee cups and the soft murmur of conversation in the air. Warm light spilled from overhead lamps, casting long shadows on the worn wooden tables. Jack sat across from Jeeny, his laptop open in front of him, the soft glow from the screen illuminating his face. Jeeny sat back, arms loosely folded, her gaze focused on him, but something in her eyes told Jack that she was thinking about something else entirely.

Host: The vibration of a phone on the table snapped them both back to the present. Jack glanced down, then back up at Jeeny, his voice breaking the silence.

Jack: “You know, I’ve been thinking about something Kevin Systrom said about Instagram. He called it a ‘disruptive entertainment platform’ — that it’s not just photos, but about visual media, a way of enabling communication. It got me wondering — what does that really mean? What’s the difference between something like Instagram and, I don’t know, just another photo-sharing app?”

Jeeny tilted her head slightly, her fingers tapping lightly on the edge of her cup as she absorbed his words. Her expression was thoughtful, almost intrigued.

Jeeny: “I think he’s saying that it’s about more than just sharing pictures. It’s about creating a space where people can express themselves in ways they couldn’t before — visually. Instagram is built around the idea that pictures, and now videos, are a way for people to tell their stories, connect with others, and communicate. But it’s not just about showing what you did today. It’s about using visuals to create a dialogue.”

Host: The warmth of the café seemed to settle around them, but Jack’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to work through the layers of meaning in her words.

Jack: “But don’t we already have other platforms for that? I mean, Facebook, Twitter, even YouTube. Isn’t Instagram just… another app with some filters on it? How is it really disruptive? What makes it stand out in a world full of visual platforms?”

Jeeny leaned forward, her eyes now intent on the screen of Jack’s laptop. The glow from the device made her expression seem more animated, as though she was tapping into something deeper with each word.

Jeeny: “Instagram didn’t just offer a place to post photos. It built a community. A space where visuals weren’t just shared — they were celebrated, crafted, curated. It turned everyday moments into art, into something worth sharing. And then they added stories, and now reels, and those aren’t just about ‘I’m here, look at me.’ It’s about how creative expression can make someone feel a certain way — whether it’s joy, nostalgia, curiosity, or even something deeper.”

Host: The quiet hum of the café seemed to fade as Jeeny’s words settled in the space between them. Jack’s gaze shifted from her to the screen, his brow furrowed, as though he was seeing the idea from a new perspective. After a brief pause, he responded, his voice tinged with skepticism but also a hint of curiosity.

Jack: “So, you’re saying it’s not just about entertainment? It’s about creating a form of communication through how people present themselves. It’s almost like it’s more than just a platform for sharing — it’s a way to connect with people on a much deeper level. But what does that mean for the future? What happens when everyone starts using the platform in the same way, posting the same kind of thing?”

Jeeny: “It’s true that it’s easy to get caught in the cycle of comparison and repetition. But that’s also part of what makes Instagram so powerful — it evolves with its users. Trends come and go, yes, but at the heart of it, Instagram isn’t just trying to create a place to consume content. It’s pushing us to think about how we express ourselves and connect with the world. It’s almost like every post is part of a bigger conversation.”

Host: Jack’s eyes softened as he considered her words. The tension between entertainment and connection seemed to hang in the air, but with every shift in the conversation, it felt like the lines between the two were starting to blur.

Jack: “Maybe it’s not about being just a photo-sharing app. Maybe it’s about how we use visuals to bridge the gap between entertainment and communication. But can something like that really stand the test of time, or does it eventually just become another passing trend?”

Jeeny smiled, a gentle smile full of insight, as if she had seen something in him that was beginning to click.

Jeeny: “I think the reason Instagram works is because it taps into something universal. We all want to be seen, heard, and understood. Visuals have the power to communicate things that words often can’t. Whether it’s through an image, a video, or a short clip, people want to share their experiences, to connect. And as long as there are stories to tell, there will be a place for it. It’s not about whether it lasts forever — it’s about how it’s adapting and growing with the times.”

Host: Jack nodded slowly, the lingering doubt in his eyes now softened by the clarity of Jeeny’s perspective. The buzz of the café returned around them, but their conversation felt suspended, like the world outside had paused for just a moment.

Jack: “I get it now. It’s not just about what’s shared — it’s about how we use it to express ourselves and communicate in ways that go beyond words. Maybe that’s what makes Instagram different. It’s not about the photo or the video — it’s about the message behind it, and how that message connects people.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s about using visuals to tell stories, share experiences, and create conversations. And that’s why it’s disruptive. It’s not just a social platform — it’s a place where people can show the world who they are, and connect in ways we never really could before.”

Host: As the conversation shifted and the words fell into a comfortable silence between them, the idea of Instagram as more than a mere app began to take root. The idea that visual media is a powerful way to communicate, to express, and to connect, was no longer just an abstract concept. It was a shared truth — one that echoed in the flickering of Jack’s screen and the quiet hum of the café around them.