What is it about social networking sites that provides people an illusion of anonymity? I can see how that may come into effect on message boards, where an individuals name and personal information is secured behind a screen name and avatar, but places like Facebook, Twitter, and others are created specifically to display a portrait of a person - who they are, who they know, even where they're from and currently live. In this aspect, it's not so much a "message board" that shows up on your feed, but an extended conversation consisting of people spouting whatever comes to mind - the inane, the insightful, and everything in between - wherever and whenever they feel so inclined. However, shouldn't this raise a red flag disclaimer before posting? Not an official or actual, but a personal aside to think before we speak? Isn't that something we're told when we're young, to think about what we say and who we say it to?
Now, I'm not a heavy advocate for any kind of censorship, personal or otherwise, for fear of offending someone. An opinion is a great thing, and I encourage people to find their own truth and things to believe in. However, in what way does it become alright to spout these opinions to the wide world? Scrolling through my feed this morning, I wondered how adamant some of these people would be if they were expected to make such wide, sweeping, declarative statements in a tavern somewhere. Is this something they would exult in mixed company? With friends? With family? With strangers? Sure, there will undoubtedly be those who agree, but surely several that don't. Would someone be impertinent enough to sit and argue? To what end? I have never encountered a situation in which a person has been swayed by a clashing lecture with someone of a differing opinion. Namely on politics and religion. And yet we use our social media for exactly this forum.
Again, I'm not saying that people shouldn't make their beliefs known, or that somehow aren't entitled to them, but what are we tyring to prove by pushing these opinions on other people? What is the hoped for end result of throwing our beliefs in the faces of others? Wouldn't we be much better served to begin a dialogue, an opportunity to listen and learn? Sure, we may disagree with what someone is saying, but isn't it entirely possible to still (in this very partisan day and age) have a clear, level-headed conversation?
The way I see it, anger, resentment, and sheer bullheadedness - taking the place of level-headed and logical, albeit impassioned defenses for our beliefs - are a facade, behind which we hide our own insecurities and doubts of our personal truths.
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