I think the view of this article is too optimistic to be believable.

It would be nice if social media fractured into a web of small communities shepherded by influencer-come-content-creators, a bit like finding a ncie pub in your local area with like minded people.

But the majority will still be in McDonalds, a la FaceBook/Instagram/Reddit

Edit: Also, further than this, I think the article is completely overlooking just how much the autocratic regimes and companies love the influence they have over us from social media. And overlooks just how much they will try to cement social media as the one stop shop to influence public opinion.