Social media figured in this post I published about “Media Madness” at the start of the wave of violent rioting in the USA earlier this year.
Since then, I have watched the increasing polarization of societies around the globe. In the USA it’s divisions over, politics, protests, police and the coronavirus shutdown.
It’s division over different issues in other countries and because of the devastation and misery caused by the shutdown, that issue in all of them.
This post is not about politics, protests or police. It’s not even about the virus shutdown. I have my own thoughts on that. Because I believe in science and the facts, not the propaganda touted by the mainstream media. I am concerned about the authoritarian trampling of human rights in practically every country in the world except Sweden.
What has had me puzzled is why feelings for or against all these issues should run so hot. Why can normal, intelligent people no longer be prepared to listen to other opinions? Why can’t we debate and disagree without attacking everyone with whom we disagree?
The Mask Controversy
For example, I choose not to wear a mask. Because despite extensive research, I have seen no scientifically verified studies that prove their effectiveness against the virus. Evidence that they reduce droplet spray yes. Stop the virus, no. Conversely, there is scientifically verified and much anecdotal evidence that wearing masks for extended periods is harmful to the wearer.
The experts who engineered the shutdown which has brought on a global economic and humanitarian disaster did not originally advocate the wearing of masks for healthy people. Attempting to force people to wear masks now that deaths from the virus are declining raises the suspicion that this a political strategy not a health concern.
I also have concerns about the thousands of tons of masks that are finding their way into the oceans and landfills – and my property.
However, if you or anyone chooses to believe the opposite and feel righteous and safe wearing a mask, that is entirely your business. I am not going to argue with you. Carry on doing what you think is right and let me do the same.
Social Media Is The Problem
Approaching 70, it’s easy for me to look back at the good old days. Before the internet, social media, email and mobile phones as a lost age of civility and simplicity.
Then I think of all the advantages that technology – particularly the Internet – provides. And I wonder how can something that offers so many benefits to mankind cause so much harm and division.
I have been suspicious of social media for years. I maintain a presence on various platforms to promote my book, my speaking and Internet-based business. But I put very little personal stuff on any of the channels and spend little time on them. As anyone who has waited weeks for an answer to a Facebook message to me will know.
However, I have not been convinced that social media IS the problem. A big part of it yes, but THE PROBLEM?
Until I read this article in The Bulwark by Yevgeny Simkin. He makes a good case that social media is the problem.
He illustrates this by comparing someone standing on a street corner in 1995 with a sign promoting some whacky cause hang around his neck. We would be unlikely to get into an argument with him. Would try to avoid him and go about our business.
Now in 2020, that guy (or girl) is no longer standing on a street corner trying to attract the attention of a handful of people who mostly ignore him. Now he or she has the ability to get into arguments with thousands of people as often as he or she wants on all the social media platforms. Unlike facing the risk of a thump on the nose on a street corner, the digital street-corner-campaigner is at no physical risk.
Social Media
As addicted as most people are to social media, most of us cannot resist arguing with him. Again and again until we find a new antagonist. If you spend time on social media you are exposed to new sources of irritation every day. Even if you don’t get drawn into the argument, it has occupied space in your mind.
It’s a different world from 1995 when your mild annoyance at reading a disagreeable letter to the editor of a newspaper was forgotten by the time you got to the sports pages.
While I believe social media is the problem, I do not know the solution. I am nervous about any more government intervention – we have enough of that with the heavy-handed overreaction to the virus panic. However, the social media platforms’ owner’s fondness for censoring content and their attempts to manipulate events is equally worrying.
Perhaps like fax machines and video hire shops they will soon become obsolete and be replaced by something that is more geared to promoting harmony than division.
That’s why I spend little time on social media.
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The Yakking Show
We have had some very interesting guests on The Yakking Show recently, a paralegal, a video strategist, campaigners for better care for residents of nursing homes and more.
Here’s a recent episode with video strategist Sheryl Plouffe
The Yakking Show now has it’s own website, we are still uploading all the episodes to it.
We have an audio podcast on Podbean too, here is our interview with John and Alex from nursinghomesarenotprisons.com.
Our show is gaining in popularity. Contact us if you would like to be a guest on our show.
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