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America's Facebook (and other social media) Problem


There may not be a man more responsible for the destruction of America than Mark Zuckerberg. I'm sure at the onset of beginning Facebook, this wasn't Zuckerberg's intent. I doubt it is his intent even today, but he unknowingly founded a company that has evolved into a platform that daily divides the American people further and further into a plethora of radical groups.

A platform. That is exactly what it is. An online stage once created to share insights and stay connected with friends and family, Facebook- and all similar social media platforms- has developed into a platform where the most timid of us openly proclaim our unsolicited, and usually flawed opinions on topics that we really have no business even mentioning. Unfounded opinions that create anger and stir up controversy, and there is no repercussion for anything we type or the tone in which we deliver it because the comments are veiled in online anonymity. It sure is easy to bully and shame others when you never see them eye-to-eye. Eye contact is huge. We all know that observing facial reactions during face-to-face conversations reveal much about the speech coming forth. If someone can't look you in the eye, they're probably....lying. Or they lack confidence. Those who lack confidence usually don't interact in a personable manner, like face-to-face conversation, but since the birth of social media, a whole sect of nastiness has encroached upon a once silent people.

Nothing is sacred or off limits to attack on social media, and quite frankly, it sickens me. What once we were ashamed of saying is so easily tossed about online in the form of unkind text-- text that is completely void of any emotional context (despite the invention of the emoji), thereby making proper interpretation nearly impossible. You offend and are offended. The great rise of political correctness attempted to rectify this issue, but it did nothing more than add fuel to the already blazing fire. Consequently, those shaming are not held accountable for their words.

Sadly, we are influenced by agenda. Most news media are now using Facebook and Twitter to post open-ended questions in hopes of stirring up interest in their "news." We've all seen it (or participated in it) where a thread gets so ugly that we become embarrassed to have even been involved in it. Most postings by media outlets are biased one way or another as to enrage the opponents of the topic. We gauge the success of our platform performances in terms of digital applause. You know.. the likes, comments, or shares. This is easy to see by looking at the most controversial postings of these "news" outlets. They are more socially engaging than the hard news items. For example, I recently participated in a local news channel's thread regarding gun control. Within a matter of minutes, it had over 1,000 likes (or angry emojis) and more than 350 comments. But a story posted about a car crash had little reaction at all. Point.... Divisiveness is more engaging and sells, and you have been suckered into their ploy.

Yes, suckered. Duped. Played. And we do it over and over again. Why!? Why do we fall for this time and time again? Addiction. We are ADDICTED to the controversy. We are addicted to the idea of being "right" despite being wrong. We are addicted to wanting to be heard. We are addicted to being emboldened and empowered through anonymity. We are addicted to our platform where we think the spotlight squarely beams down upon us. In reality, we are being robbed of our national sense of unity. We are no longer Americans. We are Democrats. We are Republicans, We are liberals. We are conservatives. We are socialists. We are racists. We are victims. We are atheists. We are religious nuts. We are sheep. We are... (you fill in the blank). Well, I believe we are SMARTER. We must end the division. We must come together. Our differences are what makes us American. Embrace the differences and unify behind the idea of eliminating all that promotes divisive behavior.

Social media is that stimulus behind the divisive behavior of Americans. For the sake of saving our nation, it's time we pull the curtain down on social media and step off the platform. If you can't permanently delete your accounts, then limit your time on them. Use discretion when posting on them. If it's not something you'd say in person, don't type it. The less you type, the less you'll be engaged. The less you are engaged, the more you will discover that you are missing out on life. Time is precious and we are letting social media steal it from us. It's time to exit stage right, log off and start enjoying life again (with your neighbors who are different from you).
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