The Internet, Social Media and Me
Mon, October 21, 2019 Does anyone remember how the Internet and Social Media started out with such promise? It would unite people from all over the world. It could give the ordinary person a voice. It would bring democracy to the world and invite free speech.
In just a few short years it has had the exact opposite effect. People are divided more than ever, split into tribal groups. The ordinary person has a voice, but what is the value of that voice if they remain anonymous? Are they even serious about their views, or simply getting some morbid satisfaction or entertainment by pushing someone’s buttons, just to get a reaction?
I heard of one person who was being attacked online by someone who happened to live in the same town. He sent the person a private message suggesting they meet to discuss their differing views in a civilized manner. The response he got was that the person was only 13 years old and his parents forbade him from meeting people he met online. This taught me a valuable lesson, that much of the online abuse comes from juveniles and teens.
Never-the-less it does make me wary of what I post online. This blog for example. There comes a point where I have covered just about every technical aspect of the bicycle, and in order to keep the articles interesting, I must include opinion.
In the past I have tried to act as a “Devil’s Advocate,” criticizing certain behavior, to get a discussion going. But I get labeled as a curmudgeon, or grumpy old man. Then a few years ago I got a comment saying I should die of the worst possible cancer, Even knowing it probably came from a juvenile, I can delete the comment and block that person, it still makes me wary of posting anything the slightest bit controversial.
In this respect, the Internet and social media is killing free speech, rather than encourage it, and the stuff I post here gets a little less interesting.
What happened to the old sentiment, “I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
The new sentiment is, “I not only disagree with your opinion, I wish you were dead for having that opinion.”
Local politicians in small towns across the US are quitting, tired of the abuse they get from social media. Many of these are good people and don’t always make a lot of money, they are simply trying to serve their own community.
One can build a following online, or on social media as I have done, but I am very much aware that I could say the wrong thing and destroy that reputation overnight. Something taken out of context, fueled by “Shares” and “Re-Tweets can go viral. As many politicians and celebrities have found.
My “Friends” on my personal Facebook page are people I know, or someone that I actually know has vouched for them. I spend a small amount of time on Facebook, all I do is post a short humorous quip each day. People seem to enjoy it, and it keeps me in touch with my real friends.
If I accept all “Friend” requests and post humor to be read and shared by just anyone, sooner or later I will offend someone, it is a given. People who actually know me, are aware it is fiction, just a silly joke. Not to be taken as my actual opinion.
I do interact with anyone who cares to on a Facebook Dave Moulton Bikes Group for owners or would be owners of bikes I built. The link is on this page, and so is my email. I am available to anyone interested, just not on my personal Facebook page.
One can never please everyone, and if I try, I end up pleasing no one, least of all myself. I proceed cautiously, try to avoid the abuse, and try to ignore it when it does happen. Call me "Too sensative" if you will, but to be honest I am just plain "Getting too old for this shit."
I will keep writing here as long as I am physically and mentally able, and as long as there are readers. That is my plan for survival, if you have other ideas or advice, let me know.
To Share click "Share Article" below
Reader Comments (4)
Sorry to hear you've been getting abuse on here Dave. I enjoy reading your posts whether they're about bikes or something else. I think trolls are just part of life as we know it now. They irk me too so for the same reasons as you, I post less often — on Twitter / Instagram / even the 'Quality' newspapers I subscribe to.
Dave, great post. I have curated my own FB page so that most of my "friends" now usually post about bikes and animals. Yes, I still have friends with strident political opinions on both sides of the fence, but I don't need to see their rants every single day.
It has become "traitorous" to your cause to believe that someone else's opinion has merit. Part of this is the echo chamber social media has become... we only want to read what we agree with, and come away with the view that EVERYONE thinks this way except a few, and they are idiots for disagreeing. Social media is really "anti-social" media.
I don't partake in Social Media any more. I'm tired of the hate.
I'm too cynical to have ever believed that social media would imminently establish democracy everywhere and cure male baldness.
That's why I've been very pleased. The web has helped me to find friends, riding buddies, and tons of useful information. Of course I don't expect to have a meaningful argument with a total stranger and all my Facebook posts are friends-only.
But on a grander scale, I believe there's no free internet in China and soon there won't be in Russia either. So warts and all, I think the web is overall a Good Thing.
I wish it ends up being kind to you as well.