Menu Close

How much does social media shape what we are for or against?

peter wright

Social media

 

The economic problems in many parts of the world with the increase in unemployment, loss of income for many people, loss of homes for many others and for millions a future that seems extremely bleak can make us question some of our fundamental beliefs and values. Motivation suffers, it is easy to let the negative influence of the media make us more miserable.

Social media and the Internet have a part in this too, more people get more immediate news, good and bad, than when we relied on TV, radio and print. In the old days, we had to make a conscious effort to be exposed to news of any sort, we needed to pick up a newspaper, turn on the TV or radio. Actions we generally only took at pre-determined times and not every 5 minutes during our waking hours. Smart phones, and computers have made it too easy to see news of some sort every time we pick up our phones or check Facebook. Our thinking can be influenced by a fleeting glance at a tweet before we have the opportunity to verify the source or give it careful consideration.

Information presented on social media is all over the landscape, extremes on political, economic, religious, diet  and  most other opinions. Much of the old media was biased, but the bias was consistent so we could select which bias, or degree of bias we were most comfortable with. Not so with the new media. This new ability to receive non-stop news from sources we would not normally follow is not all bad, but it can be overwhelming.

It is simple to look for someone else to blame when things get tough, the government, employers, bankers seem to be flavour of the month now, but many former bank employees are also looking for scarce jobs. It is easy to lose sight of our fundamental values, the values that have shaped our lives, helped us achieve what we have already achieved.

Sometimes we all need a reminder that to survive the changing world order – and it will continue to change – we need to remember the important things.

One of the newsletters that I enjoy receiving is from Perry Marshall .

Last week, he sent out a “For and Against” list. An excellent list of reminders to help us stay on track.

A list of things to be For, paired with its opposite to be Against.

It is an interesting list, here are a couple of my favourites.

 We are FOR individualism, accomplishment and excellence.

We are AGAINST the mediocrity, self pity, condemnation and discouragement of the news media and of “normal” people sleepwalking through life.”

“We are FOR communities, networks and relationships. We recognize that for every problem that needs to be solved, there is someone we can turn to who has already solved it.

We are AGAINST loneliness, isolation and discouragement. We know that the #1 cause of failure is lack of accountability, community and wise counsel.  We know there is no such thing as a self-made man. Everyone has a father and a mother and everyone comes from a tribe.”

Here is the link again, take a minute to read the list, it will give you something to think about. For and Against.

Wishing you success in all your endeavours.

Peter Wright

 

 

 

 

Image: jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

3 Comments

  1. Don haider

    This is a interesting list by Perry Marshall for sure. The 4 principles you listed are good ones. Out of them all I particularly liked the following one:

    We are FOR entrepreneurs and all who move resources from areas of low value to areas of high value.

    In this USA election year, there is a drumbeat of ” jobs” rhetoric–politicians spew this word out to win votes. But they never mention raising taxes, just raising jobs for Americans.
    Well it is the entrepreneurs that provide the job creation, not politicians.
    The politicians create the loopholes to provide for those entrepreneurs a reduced tax base incentive.
    But anybody with a job cannot enjoy those loopholes.
    Anything considered earned income by law has the highest taxable percentage.

    I talk about this, because in the social media, particularly on Facebook, most people are only concerned about “socializing”, not concerned about utilizing these platforms to develop strong communities to effect change.

    We have become so conditioned to just vote politicians in office and that is the extent of the process for many. But the entrepreneurs utilize the resources to build wealth, as all should do.
    Opportunity awaits no one.
    As the social media evolves the entrepreneurs will benefit the most–NOT those with jobs.

  2. Peter Wright

    Don you are correct about people becoming conditioned to just voting politicians into office. The biggest dangers to freedom are the inertia of the solid middle majority who might be a bit left or a bit right of centre, but always vote to maintain the status quo, and the feeling that “things will never get too bad”.

    When my country was being destroyed one farm at a time, there were many people who said “it won’t spread too far” or “They” will stop. By the time they woke up it was too late, the country is ruined and thousands dead,injured or destitute.

    Almost every day here in Canada we see yet more evidence of individual rights being eroded, law abiding citizens locked up for trying to protect their property, licenced gun owners treated as criminals, and more horror stories lifted straight out of the fascists policy manual.

  3. Pingback:Does Social Media dilute our integrity? | Peter Wright's Blog

Comments are closed.