Social Media is an odd place. It connects, yet alienates. We can connect with people half a world away, but don’t know our next-door neighbor. Social skills, like politeness, good manners and the respecting of personal space are atrophying, because safely insulated behind their keyboards, people aren’t practicing them. We may be in touch with more people via the internet, but we’re becoming increasingly more isolated. People need face-to-face interaction to be civilized.
People I’ve known for years in Real Life act very differently online. Face-to-face, they’re upbeat, friendly, polite people, with whom I’ve broken bread, shared adult beverages, and had great conversations with. Online, they’re shrill, sanctimonious and insulting. I’ve been called a Nazi and a Fascist by people that I’ve known and been friendly with for years. It blows my mind. I’ve had to stop following a couple of guys because of this. It’s the strangest thing; in Real Life, we get on perfectly well. On the interwebs, I’m an Evil Rightie.
And that’s the danger. The dehumanizing of our political opponents. I’ve been guilty of it as well. Let’s face it; we all think we hold the Moral High Ground. We’re all the Heroes of our Own Story. I think we need to examine our own hearts. If we are shown to be wrong, will we move to were the Truth is? I’d like to think that I would/do. I try to. Civil Discourse needs to be a thing, again. We’re Americans, damn it! That gives us something in common. I’d like to think that we all want what’s best for Our Country. Let’s hash it out. Let’s discuss it like civilized people.
There seems to be three basic Types on Social Media. The Quiet Ones; These are the folks who post pics of their kids/grandkids, pets, meals, vacations, etc. They’re not interested in drama or controversy, they’re too busy having lives.
The Wannabe Stars; These people post updates about everything. “I pooped today”, “My dog watches me poop” (Complete with pics of the dog in the bathroom doorway). Crikey. Nobody cares. I had to unfriend a guy (we met in a Facebook group) because not only were we in opposition politically, but because he was an internet bleeder. He posted everything; his divorce, his roommate problems, the passing of his kidney stones, everything. I just couldn’t take it, anymore. Man up, and deal with it. Stop whining. Stop seeking validation from strangers, hundreds or thousands of miles away.
The Firebrands; Not necessarily Trolls, but they want to stir things up. They want to start a conversation/debate…Oh, dear…this might be me. Okay, bring it. Let’s have a dialogue.
The thing is, the connective potential of Social Media is nothing short of incredible. We can talk with people from literally, all over the planet. But, we can’t let it rob us of our Humanity. Think before you post. Don’t dismiss opposing viewpoints as the Other. It makes me very sad that I had to unfollow two guys that I know and like in Real Life, because they were just too shrill, online. Let’s talk. Let’s be People, again.
4 replies on “Social Dis-Ease”
Social media is the most blatant example but it’s not just social media or just political opponents, the dehumanizing effect is inherent to the internet. Where else would you walk into a “room” and say something and get absolutely no response, not even a blank stare?
I think that happens because there’s so many other items competing for attention. It’s like sensory overload. A single remark, unless it’s particularly brilliant or outrageous, becomes part of the background noise.
I love your Avatar. I love me some Lost in Space.
Yes, I understand the reasons why. The internet generally, and social media in particular, attempt to do human interaction on an industrial mass production basis. It simply doesn’t scale that way. You can talk to hundreds / thousands / millions but you can only talk with a handful.
B9 is great; friendly, loyal, brave, etc., the all-around boy scout of robots.