Social media wouldn’t be doing its job if it didn’t suck us in and show what we should be caring about at any given moment. And thanks to a little thing called an algorithm, there’s no limit to the amount of “for you” information (good and bad, but especially bad) being thrown your way. There have been moments in my life I had no idea what I should be upset about but then along comes a video on my feed that serves it up on a silver platter. What’s this? Kendrick and Drake are feuding. Whose side shall I take? Spoiler, I ride with Kendrick.
I have a love/hate relationship with each platform. I love watching how life is evolving for my close and faraway family and friends. In this way, it’s a beautiful tool to stay connected no matter how many miles separate us. However, I hate watching arguments unfold when one friend shares an article about climate change or the like. Recently, I witnessed the comment section explode over a post about one of the presidential candidates. People who may or may not know each other were having a heated exchange over two people they had never met and likely never will. If these posts had an audience counter, you can bet Facebook/Instagram/TikTok would start selling banner ads for each one.
I’m guilty of feeling that burning gut reaction when I see something on TikTok or Instagram that I disagree with. While I don’t act on those emotions by posting a response I’ll regret, my body still absorbs it. A blood pressure spike all because Jerry from Springfield, Indiana said Rose was not the best Golden Girl. It’s not worth it.
Every election year I want to do the 21st century version of crawling under a rock; delete social media. I crave being blissfully unaware of what candidate did, what and where and why people on my friend list are offended or emboldened by said candidate’s actions. Granted this is my personal statistic with no real science behind it, but I feel like 99.9% of the time, not a single person on that friend list could give a solid argument about why they do not like a particular candidate without leading their proof with “I saw it on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.” This comment alone is likely to get me at least one email explaining why my fake statistic is offensive to those who really care about politics. No one wins in politics except the folks who monetize.
It’s hard to care about what’s going on in the world of politics when there’s so many real things going on that affect our daily lives. We must give THAT our energy and attention first. After working, parenting, grandparenting, caring for a parent, trying to eat right, exercise, afford housing, groceries, and healthcare, there’s just enough time left to enjoy the people who matter most.
So, while social media is a good place to post cute photos of your cat, kids, or a funny Ted Lasso” meme, it’s the wrong place to give any amount of real mental energy. We may not agree on who wore it best at the Oscars or who is the better presidential candidate, but there’s at least one thing we can all agree on…The Kardashians should not have their own show.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.