Geraldine Green on the downside of social media. 

There’s not a day goes by now that I don’t consider disengaging from social media and either deactivating or completely deleting my account. I’ve tried keeping it on and taking breaks but it’s too easy to return and look at when I wake up in the morning and grab my phone or when I’m waiting somewhere or any freakin time. 

Social media is perniciously addicting and I’m really struggling with all the toxicity on here right now, all the mean snark and nastiness, all the uncharitable weaponized political posts and comments carpet bombing everyone.

And I’m not seeking any sympathy here or asking for anyone to say they’d miss me if I left, no, I’m not looking for any of that. I’m merely expressing what I’ve been feeling for so long.

Sometimes it makes my stomach turn to see people I love be so rude and disrespectful and hateful on here. That stuff has caused me to think differently about them, and I’m certain my old fashioned, traditional American values have undoubtedly caused the same in them, they think differently about me now because I don’t condemn who they condemn.

I support law enforcement, and I don’t call for riots and revolution. So be it. They have their reasons and I have mine but right now I don’t support what I’ve been seeing from some people I thought were friends. I can’t stomach their tone. They’re losing their humanity and compassion and they’ve stopped caring about who they’re hurting. They seem to think their war on America is justified and that we all deserve what’s been going on online and in our streets and whatever is coming. I do not stand among them and I will not read or participate in their war on everything and everyone. It’s toxic poison. And this is exactly why there’s not a day goes by that I don’t consider deactivating or deleting.

Geraldine Green is a Tolerance Advocate

Social Media Is Perniciously Addicting

Geraldine Green on the downside of social media. 

There’s not a day goes by now that I don’t consider disengaging from social media and either deactivating or completely deleting my account. I’ve tried keeping it on and taking breaks but it’s too easy to return and look at when I wake up in the morning and grab my phone or when I’m waiting somewhere or any freakin time. 

Social media is perniciously addicting and I’m really struggling with all the toxicity on here right now, all the mean snark and nastiness, all the uncharitable weaponized political posts and comments carpet bombing everyone.

And I’m not seeking any sympathy here or asking for anyone to say they’d miss me if I left, no, I’m not looking for any of that. I’m merely expressing what I’ve been feeling for so long.

Sometimes it makes my stomach turn to see people I love be so rude and disrespectful and hateful on here. That stuff has caused me to think differently about them, and I’m certain my old fashioned, traditional American values have undoubtedly caused the same in them, they think differently about me now because I don’t condemn who they condemn.

I support law enforcement, and I don’t call for riots and revolution. So be it. They have their reasons and I have mine but right now I don’t support what I’ve been seeing from some people I thought were friends. I can’t stomach their tone. They’re losing their humanity and compassion and they’ve stopped caring about who they’re hurting. They seem to think their war on America is justified and that we all deserve what’s been going on online and in our streets and whatever is coming. I do not stand among them and I will not read or participate in their war on everything and everyone. It’s toxic poison. And this is exactly why there’s not a day goes by that I don’t consider deactivating or deleting.

Geraldine Green is a Tolerance Advocate

6 comments:

  1. Geraldine no doubt about it ... it's seriously addictive
    The 'like button' exploits our human need for connection and also for attention exchanges
    I've had a bit of an insight recently
    People only do (or avoid doing) what makes sense to them
    What makes sense to them according to their level of understanding
    There's a lot of damaged people out there
    The more hurt or damaged the lower their level of understanding

    All addictions are a bit of a cheat (he says as he sips his whiskey)
    They're a shortcut to a dopamine hit
    Excessive overuse eventually corrupts the dopamine circuitry
    The dopamine circuitry and the rest of the brain
    The capacity for critical thinking and any potential for mutual understanding is greatly diminished
    Hence the descent into even more base exchanges
    Those entering the social media sewer ought keep their wits about them

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your thoughtful reply. You’re still right about addictions being a cheat! And how the capacity for critical thinking seems to have gone out the window on social media!
      Geraldine

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  2. There’s a programme on Netflix at the minute, HJ, which I intend to watch ASAP — ‘The Social Dilemma’. Like Geraldine, who I’ve known for a long time through Facebook, I find how social media now has people reacting toward each other highly disturbing — it makes our own somewhat tetchy exchanges on here, even where they were at their worst, look like an ‘Aloha’. Hope you’re coping ok with the corona situation and the lockdown.

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    Replies
    1. Sean - it is a very disturbing and informative show. Well worth the watching.

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    2. Sean

      thanks for the heads up on that
      Its something that I'd be very interested in
      As it happens I am currently rebranding my business and recently took a Rural Enterprise Skillnet programme on using FB adds
      Though as a learning experience it was like being a non-swimmer and thrown into a raging sea I did survive & come away with a somewhat clearer understanding as to how intrusive it is and how data can be used for profiling & targeting
      The trainer even suggested that fb knew more about us than our own mothers

      (Except for the alcohol consumption I'm minding & keeping myself exceedingly well; thank you for asking)

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    3. Sean, ‘The Social Dilemma’ is indeed a very provocative film. I also watched it recently and have considered unplugging more frequently now!

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