“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.” – Steve Jobs
The world of social media. I lived through its advent, yet know very little of its history.
After some research, I learned that one of the first social media sites was called Six Degrees created back in 1997. It allowed users to upload a profile and ultimately make new friends right from the comfort of their personal computer.
Soon others came to market offering similar connection opportunities – MySpace and LinkedIn in the early 2000s; Facebook and Twitter in 2006.
I believe social media has evolved into nothing more than a platform for perpetual propaganda and opinions aimed at instigating a negative response.
Social media gone wrong
Case in point. Famed entertainer Bette Midler recently shared this post on her widely-followed Facebook page:
“To the working class and middle class of America: Trump’s Cabinet is the richest in the history of our nation, worth over 14 billion dollars. Wonder why you have no money? BECAUSE THEY HAVE IT ALL!”
What about celebrities (such as yourself Ms. Midler) and professional athletes? They are paid more money for one movie, song, television show, commercial, football game, special appearance or endorsement than the average hard-working American will make in their lifetime!
Her post, like so many other posts circulating on social media platforms today, was not meant to unite people from across our nation or across the globe. It was quite irresponsibly meant to divide them – perhaps even intentionally.
Merriam-webster.com defines “social media” as a form of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages and other content such as pictures or videos.
In truth, we’re really not “sharing” but “spreading and spewing” our own personal prejudices and hatreds out to a very impressionable society.
This society I speak of has somehow lost the ability to think on their own and stand up for what they believe without it being the “popular” thing to do.
While I’ve held out great hope that the world of social media would be beneficial – easing the fears and anxieties of the people who comprise this great land of ours – all it seems to do is propagate them.
Albert Camus once remarked, “In order to understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion.”
Social media – I think it’s time you and I broke up.
