Just my opinion, but certainly up for debate.
Whew! I finally deactivated my FaceBook account. OK, actually, this is the second time I’ve done it. I tried going back, but it was too much! My emotional & mental wellbeing were teetering on the edge. I could no longer subject myself to the nonstop verbal and visual mayhem that Social Media has become, given the current sociopolitical climate, and people’s apparent lack of personal accountability. It feels like logic and reason are fleeting attributes in Social Media commentaries.
Additionally, I recognized some alarming trends in my life when I was regularly checking FB, and then followed my inclinations with research to understand the calculated controls that social media networks have on us (the public) and how they manipulate what we see to serve their profit-boosting agendas. You should seriously consider taking a break, or at least do your own research to find out what I’m referring to. I’ll try my best to follow up this post with more links to articles that explain further.
In the meantime, check out The Social Dilema on Netflix, for a look into what Social Media Networks are really up to. It’s not a conspiracy. It literally the truth.
Made For Narcissists
When I say this, I don’t mean to say that all people on Social Networks are Narcissistic. I’m saying the ones who are, LOVE social media. They get an exploded reaction from other participating narcissists, which feeds their ego. Of course when people don’t respond to the expected level, the subsequent “I’m sick of everyone and how toxic they are on here” post follows.
I dare suggest that we all have a little bit of Narcissistic tendencies, and floating around the Social Media Networks feeds and inspires growth of those tendencies (as their algorithms are designed to do).
Social Media; A Troll Factory
They’re everywhere in fact! The best troll-luring tactic… All you have to do to is to post something mildly opinionated or political, and BLAMMO! They come out from under their rickety bridges to criticize and insult you without restraint. They HAVE to comment.. it’s a daily sustaining drug to them. They HAVE to correct you, hurt you, shut you down, and threaten you. And it’s easy because they hide behind a screen, in the comfort of their homes, behind locked doors.
I would consider this situation a mental/emotional pandemic — more dangerous and deadly than Covid-19. Souls diminish and die within humans as they sink into and embrace the dark side, and eventually becoming social-media-driven directionless flesh-bags. Not offering any real benefit to society. Just me, me, me. You might be a troll if you’re constantly making sarcastic, angry, defensive, hateful, nasty, violent, divisive, unjustly entitled, venom-spitting comments. You’ve digressed to the state of a tissue-covered bot… putty in the hands of Social Media dictators.
Internet trolls are also hypocrites. They’ll say one thing, like “we need to be more inclusive and tolerant”, and then in the same day post “Anybody who supports Donald Trump should be shot”. It’s this cute game they play to pretend they ACTually care about their fellow man. It’s a facade.. a sham… and disingenuous. Trolls only care about one thing… self. Haters begetting more hate. They’re not anywhere near interested in the actual truth. They feed on ugliness, lies, misplaced anger, and impulse.
Fascinating that we’re adamant to call out and discipline the bullies in our kids’ schools, but we then encourage and glorify online bullies(trolls). We praise their audacity on these platforms, no matter how ridiculous, with supportive responses. I get the whole free-speech thingy, but what ever happened to human decency? Why is that not encouraged more? Serious question; can you express your feelings in a constructive diplomatic manner and still get your point across? Are you one of those decency-lacking loudmouths who just runs their opinion over everyone like a bulldozer? I’ve had to ask myself that question, and really keep myself in check.
Does your reputation say you’re a loose cannon? Hey, if that’s what you want, fine… but don’t expect any kind of real stability or serenity in your life. I’m a firm believer in Karma. Words have meaning and power… perhaps its more beneficial and therapeutic to save your death threats and ugly opinion for your journal, or your own blog. **Snicker** A public display unhindered aggression just inflates the problems .. and what this world needs is problem-solvers, not drama-starters and negativity-promoters.
Character Exposure
Luckily the benefit in observing the utter nonsense via Social Media gives insight to the true character of a person. If someone is willing to say and pass along hateful rhetoric, make threats to another person’s or group’s wellbeing, or willingly spread blatantly unsubstantiated information, then you’ve lost your decency. Words that come to mind… toxic, disillusioned, jaded, misinformed, and vengeful. I’ve read numerous posts of people who effortlessly trade their loyalties and succumb to their knee-jerk emotions, a distinction of weakness and instability.
People will flat-out lie to push their self-serving agenda. I’ve seen it perpetuated numerous times, but to give one example;
During the height of last summer’s riots, I was surfing through friend’s posts to see what was going on in their towns, since Utah was relatively quiet, only having one major riot. One in particular caught my attention, it was the post of a friend-of-a-friend’s, showing a close-up picture of a middle-aged black woman, seemingly being choked by a white male cop. At first I was disgusted and angry at this cop, because it seemed like excessive physical aggression towards a much smaller woman, but then I read the comments. One courageous soul researched the picture and found evidence that this picture was manipulated to create a story that was completely taken out of context, that it was being twisted to vilify the policeman involved, and then presented the whole story and undeniable proof. She was ruthlessly attacked by the poster and his followers, and told to “get the F*** off (their) post” and to “Shut the F*** up”, that he will post “whatever the F*** (he) wanna post”. They badgered the truth-giver because the evidence didn’t serve his agenda. He was handed the whole truth and full context, but blatantly ignored it to enrage his viewers and make them believe a story that was a lie. What is that exactly?
People Are Hurting
I understand that some people struggle with effects of emotional trauma, and tend lash out when they’re triggered by perceived injustice, or simply don’t have the tools to realize and remedy the error in their approach. They’re in a state of weakness, and they are highly ignitable. That’s when it becomes our duty as the friend.. the family member… the teacher… to help, support, and encourage that person get help and reestablish their worth. They need to know that their worth WILL NEVER BE FOUND ON SOCIAL MEDIA. Just the opposite. We need to take people away from the toxic WAR ZONE and get them the mental and emotional reprieve they truly need. A more constrained and well-balanced person can still participate in the Social Networks, but with more restraint and better intentions.
Facts are highly objective these days. You’ll be hard pressed to find an untainted and bias-free source of information anywhere in Social Media Networks, or Mainstream Media for that matter. Therefore, I’m steering clear of the rampant broken opinions that seem to plague the internet and media outlets. Instead, I’ll be seeking facts directly from the source… no more third-parties. Just actual, full-context, direct details, and then form my own opinion. If I see you in passing, I might ask for yours to help me remain objective, which I welcome and always consider. Just be decent, that’s all I ask.
How I’m Healing
I know what’s good for my soul. Less static. I will focus on my circle of influence instead. My family, my friends, my neighbors, my community. It’s my purpose to be a good influence and a source of support, peace, and positivity… to help and serve the people in my immediate path. I’ll have important conversations face-to-face so I get the full communication. I’ll see their body language, I’ll hear their tone, I’ll witness the hurt behind the words, and probably show more compassion.
Trying to accomplish that via social networks is futile. It’s like trying to disarm a bomb whilst being suspended upside-down and wearing a blindfold.
So instead, put the computer, phone, tablet, TV away for awhile… take a deep breath… meditate, give someone a smile, a hug, or a compliment. Let’s be human again. Let’s interact person-to-person. It’s good therapy. It’s proven that human contact is necessary for your mental and emotional wellbeing.
Lets Talk Sometime
You know where I am. Come by and talk to me. Give me a call. I want to understand. I actually love you, God commanded that I do, and I really appreciate and embrace what makes us different. I just expect human decency because that’s what I’ll give you.
My dear Joli.
I finally found you or so I hope so. I read all your above writing and yes that’s Joli speaking. Its great! I love your opinions and I love you and miss you and was interested in reading about your family. Amazing how life happens without our permission-just flows on.
I have now lived on this Mother Earth for 75 years-can you believe that one???? But I am super healthy-no diseases, no prescription drugs, healthy heart, bones and liver (important cleansing tool and the kidneys. whatever….and few wrinkles. I look youthful and Im vibrant in living
You sound as if your life is going well. Im happy for you that you have stuck through the tough times and hope you are happy too.
Im quite interested in putting my website back up even unfinished. I’m going to create another website with templates and sell my art workbooks. Would you suggest a host that’s inexpensive. Im not a flourishing business that needs to impress anyone or be able to do tricks and flops. IJust want to host it somewhere so I can put a link on my new website and let people see it. thanks so much.
I am actually getting paid right now for working on and getting my art books etc ready to publish. I still have dreams of doing something bigger with my art.-
difference is I am so very healed and happy and content and living a very good life.
please respond soon. My supervisor is looking forward to seeing my website in action. I bragged to him how amazing you are. thanks sweetheart..im looking forward to visiting you if you’ll let me know where you are.I have been looking everywhere for you.