Published on 12, July, 2020
Discussion topic for today - Social Media. I would be interested to hear people's thoughts on this. I believe social media has destroyed the fabric of civilisation. We have lost the ability to "agree to disagree" and to tolerate opinions and beliefs contrary to our own, screeching names and insults at anyone who disagrees with us and calling for them to be cancelled.
We have become extraordinarily self obsessed and narcissistic, endlessly taking photos of ourselves and posting our every thought to the world. Most of all though I believe we have become incredibly unhappy and unable to experience real life. Most people I see are far more interested in filming and posting their lives to curate a perfect online profile of themselves than in actually living those wonderful moments that make life worth while. For instance, if you see a beautiful sunset is your first instinct to stand there and contemplate its wonder or to post a picture of it online? There's lots more that could be said on this discussion, especially the effect on young people.
Would be interested to hear everyone's opinions
Social media has obviously prevented people from simply being in the now, but I would be a hypocrite if I condemned that - Twitter/X feeds my ADHD cravings for novelty, despite me being very aware of what a hateful space it can be. And while it is stuffed with horrors, it has influenced politics (for example, revealing the extent of the genocide in Gaza and mobilising people to change things).
I still persist with Facebook despite it mostly being a means to show off (I'm guilty of this as well). I'm still bewildered by Instagram and TikTok. There's such an endless provision of content and silliness and distraction...And yet, plenty of people have made a living out of it. Imagine paying the bills without having to leave the house. My autistic dream.