Digital Anger to Tangible Compassion
This year, many of the problems in our world have been magnified so much more, both in awareness and in effect. If you’re like me, you feel helpless.
social media
Illegitimate Sources and False Information
The source matters. Other things the source produces matters. They influence the credibility of that source. In the current Coronavirus …
Guidelines for Using Social Media Well
Social media was supposed to be this wonderful platform that improved our lives. It was supposed to rekindle old relationships, keep us updated with friends far away, meet new people around the world over common interests, and create some sense of a global community.
In many ways it has done that.
But it seems to be more commonly known for narcissists and trolls. It’s the place where we compare our lives to each other, seek attention in the form of digital hearts and thumbs, argue for the sake of arguing, share sensational yet false news, and spend the majority of our time just scrolling.
It’s that way because that’s the way we made it. Social media isn’t inherently bad. I believe the platform has enormous positive potential. We just need to use it more intentionally in ways that benefit us and the people around us.
Whether it’s on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or some other platform, here are a few guidelines that will help.
Why the Facebook Data Scandal Doesn’t Matter, and Why It Does
You’ve heard all the news about how Facebook gave your data to Cambridge Analytica who used it to run ads affecting the election. It’s got all the soundbites of a sensationalized story – Facebook, private data, scandal, Russia, Trump, election.
A lot of media outlets don’t really understand it. Based on Mark Zuckerberg’s hearings, Congress certainly doesn’t understand it – or how the internet works for that matter. And most people, probably you included, don’t understand it.
I run Facebook ads. I get it. What happened wasn’t a big deal – at least for the reasons people are freaking out about. But what happened was also serious – for the reasons people aren’t thinking about.
Why You Shouldn’t Rely on Facebook as Your Only Source of News
While Facebook has been incredible for connecting people and keeping us updated with what’s going on in the world, it’s also insulated us into a bubble of our own opinions. It shows you more of what you like and less of what you don’t like – which can be good for creating a fun user experience. But it’s horrible for news if it’s only showing you viewpoints that you like and agree with.
Why Anger is the Most Viral Emotion on Social Media
Anger is money, plain and simple. It’s easy to spread and easy to capitalize on. The recent events in our world – from the circus of the US political race to the tragedy of terrorism to the fear of the unknown – are prime examples of profitable hate. It doesn’t matter if you agree with it or not. It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not. You get angry and want to share that anger, so you like, comment and share, and spread that feeling to others.