The 7 Worst Things About Social Media
The internet has made the world smaller, in a good way, giving us information, culture and ideas that we might not get from our neighbors and circle of friends.
It’s also very stupid. as with almost all human endeavours. The lowest common denominator tends to emit the loudest sound. Shout out loud, even if it’s not very useful to say. Nowhere is this more evident than on social media.
Below are 7 of the worst things about social media. There are, of course, seven great things. But today we’re going to talk about what we all agree is really scary.
7. Every madman and his mother have a soapbox.
One good thing about the pre-social era was that madmen were often confined to IRC chat rooms or the local editor’s letter section.
newspaper. Now they not only have 47,000 followers on Twitter, but they’ve also got your attention. They are even sometimes asked to comment on cable news.
6. Because of this, everyone with a smartphone has the opportunity to embarrass themselves every day.
weary tweeting funny posting Failing to check the facts myself… The temptation to improvise is so great and almost irresistible in the post-talk show era. We’ve all used to keep our thoughts to ourselves or someone close to us. Then Oprah and Donahue approached Dr. Phil, and now everyone felt the need to vent their frustrations and feelings. Social media has made it a lot easier.
In the early days of social media The main culprit of over-sharing is teenage girls. This is understandable. Twitter is billed as a microblogging service, and MySpace feels more like a diary. Now your 67-year-old surgeon wakes up at 1am saying she can’t sleep and loves mangoes.
5. Use potential employers to screen you.
Resumes, CVs, links in and a winning smile are not enough. Now, every time you look for a new job. You can be Googled, followed on Twitter, and friend on Facebook.
You think this will make people more aware of what they are saying on social media. and treat the people they interact with more courteously This is generally not the case. It’s true that a lot of employers don’t have the time to rummage through every photo of you drunk in the club. Every argument you have about pineapple on pizza. Or any politician who is against Christ? But that doesn’t mean they can’t — or won’t choose if they’re stuck between choosing you and someone with equal qualifications.
4. Direct and personal messages are a minefield.
Almost every day, a bunch of girlfriends send messages like this: “Oh my god, I just became friends with this guy. And he sneaked into my DMs with a picture of a cock.”
Answers from every woman every time? “Ugh. WTF is wrong with people?”
You might post a picture of the cardigan you crocheted for your granddaughter. Then someone will send you a private message saying “HOT PIX” and that guy’s bio doesn’t matter. can be said “Secular sympathetic”, “Christian father of three” or “Representative in the 9th congressional district.” other animals
3. It is a change of news to “content”
Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the irony I pointed out in the show. Okay, back to the subject.
We used to just report on the who, what, when, where and how, selling newspapers and letting people follow. Since the news can be retweeted or shared with users’ insightful comments. So online journalists need to add “why” and “implications” and crappy headlines like “He resigned as president of Zimbabwe – you won’t believe what happened next!”
We have billions of stories to read. almost no substance and most of them are inflamed Most readers are too lazy to do further research to verify the information presented. And that might even make them headline drama. It’s creating a world full of people who know almost nothing who think they know everything. It’s like we’re all seventeen.
2. Finding someone else you like in real life online.
When the same Aunt Gladys who helped you with Ace Calculus posted a chain letter meme. Or a cool new friend from work turned anti-waxer. What will you do?
You can’t join in a virtual shoutout with loved ones or maybe see them the next day at work. You also know they’re not stupid. Why are they posting stupid things?
This is one time when you can’t participate online. It may not be worth participating in person. just hide the post Or if it’s really bad (e.g. election season), you may want to hide it completely or mute it for a while. People who post items with no room for meaningful discussion will not welcome your meaningful conversation.
And No. 1: Doxing, stalking and swatting.
When people who decide they hate you online decide to hurt you in real life too. Social media is the worst. Doxing is finding and publishing your private information online. so people can neutralize your harassment from your mentions — and in your home and office.
Stalking is when someone picks up that information and starts following you in real life. Either they are attracted to you or obsessively hate you. or both
A slap is when someone takes that information and falsely reports to 911 that something terrible has happened to your home, such as a “gunshot” or a bomb threat. This is illegal. But like all laws It doesn’t really stop the will. Patients do not disobey
Swapping is not a joke. It can cause physical harm and/or emotional injury. It’s a waste of police resources and public tax money. Even if it doesn’t cause a tragedy.
The good news is that social media also creates and encourages really rewarding relationships and partnerships. Plus, people are growing weary of the negative ways people use them. and seriously change the way they present themselves to others. Perhaps the empathy and sociability will return in a new way. even online