The internet provides many wonderful opportunities to expand our knowledge of the world around us, to be supportive of others, and to acquire goods and services of benefit in our daily lives. It has also become a hate and anger marketplace where truth is set aside.
It all starts with blogs ! These are personal, published, commentaries by anyone who wishes to occupy a keyboard for a short while. Some blogs are amazing and uplifting, or provide key information on how to handle specific tasks and projects. Many, unfortunately, are devoted to passing on hateful and hurtful messages about individuals, or groups. I have no problem with discussions of issues, but far too often these become a media based bash of an individual. These slander posts are the most popular, and although mostly filled with meaningless and false commentary, they are taken as the gospel truth and passed on.
Often a blog starts with a false fact, and then builds a case upon it. The “fact” is an inflammatory comment designed to stir the emotions of the reader. It may often be phrased in a way that implies a wrongful act by someone and sets a negative image of the person. For example, “Should John Doe pay his taxes like the rest of us ?” is a simple question. The immediate response is “sure”, but the question implies that John doesn’t pay his taxes, so the reader assumes John is trying to get away with something. Of course, you can substitute in the name of someone famous and suddenly “Freedom of Speech” is used to destroy the public reputation of someone.
If people simply created these little blog sites and posted their venom, it does little. The problem comes when people read these diatribes and Share them on Twitter and Facebook. Suddenly they are seen by a far wider audience, and the message becomes out of control. At this point there is no means available to correct the image. Once it’s posted on Social Media, people believe it without hesitation or investigation.
A friend of mine happens to be well known, and is the subject of these types of postings. I see the most hateful posts attributing things to him that are simply not true in even the slightest measure. They are often attributions made which are 180 degrees from his actual views, but they inflame the readers. The first one is pure libel, but then all of the “comments” added assume the first to be true and amplify it. I’d love to have some of the posters be forced to sit down with this person for an hour and discuss their views, but they would never do it. The power of hate is far to consuming of one’s drive, and they simply don’t want to let it go.
So why write this post if I know the originators of these blogs would never change their ways ? Actually, I am hoping to send a message to the readers. To make it clear “You are being used and manipulated.” In fact, those who Share false statements are actually just as guilty as the originator. I encourage people to check out an item before they share it, but that hasn’t been very productive. There is a story circulating supposedly told by Bill Cosby. He didn’t say it, and he’s been trying to stop it for many years. I commented to a friend who Shared it that Mr. Cosby didn’t say it, and it does not reflect his views. Her reply was “I like what it says and I think he could say it” so she left it up. This was not an isolated incident.
And thus we reach the point to ponder: Is this activity healthy for us as individuals, and for our society ? Do we want to be part of the process that sends negativity viral throughout our sphere of influence ? Do we live healthier and happier lives through these expressions ? Or do we become depressed as a result ?
If you are bothered that perhaps these actions are not in our best interests, then maybe you will take time to consider what you share before you hit that button !