Even if you are not a ‘writer’ (so to speak), everyone is writing something in some way. It may be through texts, emails, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tik Tok, comments on web pages or reviews, and many other ways. The more I read posts on social media these days, I find myself becoming baffled by the behaviors and mindsets of people. As I am finishing my degree, and getting closer to my future in writing, I have learned so many things by the questions they ask us in our classes. They speak about our identify, who we are, what do we want to be known for, and so on. I wish there was an easy way to ask these questions in a gentle way in response to some activity I see today on social media.
Here are some of my own thoughts; before you post it what are you trying to convey? What do you wish to accomplish? Is it good, bad, or trying to prove a point? We used to be able to have a difference of opinion with the people we loved and cared about without it becoming radical. The media used to speak of cyber bullying, but I think we are in a new wave of something different when it comes to people getting their point across.
We used to pick up the phone and dial a number to talk to people. This seems to have been replaced with the social media platforms that exist today. There was something valuable about wondering what you thought about this or that. We actually had conversations. We actually spent time together (in person or on the phone). Nothing can replace actual contact. Heck, I even used to enjoy receiving a hand written letter in the mail.
I try to instill in my kids that whatever you post, snap a picture of, write/type/text, once you click share, it’s out there. Once it’s out there, even if you erase it, it still was out there to be found again. It is actually okay to keep some thoughts to yourself.
My mother used to ask the question a lot “Is that necessary?” I find myself asking myself this question more and more the older I get. Why am I posting this photo or sharing someone else’s upset? Who will this benefit? Does this make me look tough/weak? Not everyone needs to know how long your shower was, what time you ate dinner, or that you actually paid your bills this month. I think it’s okay to share photos from your trip, day out at the park, or a birthday party. However, I too feel that sometimes you can overshare. There again comes the questions of why do I feel everyone needs to see every single dance move I did, or each and every gift she received at her bridal shower? Is it truly all necessary. Sometimes less is more.
When it comes to controversy my viewpoint is this, there is already enough out there and people are well aware, so I don’t need to contribute more to it. There is a lot to be said by just being a normal happy go lucky person. Well, who cares what people think? Actually – why cause them to think at all? What’s with him lately? Why are they so upset? We know she really hates this or that. That’s all well and good, but I challenge us all to be more positive. I challenge us all to spread more good instead of negative. In a world that is full of turmoil, hatred, controversy, and panic, let’s not add more wood to that fire by using our platform to do so.
Even if you can’t stand the state of the world, don’t agree with everything that is happening in one controversy or another, you are still able to be that positive reinforcer in the lives of the people around you. Why not? Just like you don’t need to finish the full bag of chips, but feel you need to because you already had two thirds. It is still possible to wrap it up for later.
May we each examine ourselves and our platforms. Before we click share ask why. Who is this helping? Will this cause an argument? Is this spreading positivity or negativity? In the end it’s all up to us to make this world a more bitter place, or better! I choose better!
Awesome job! It was very hard to read even though I had my glasses with bifocals on.lol