social media – Nina's Homepage

Image of an eye, a schematic image of a person checking all kinds of social media channels at its laptop and a large sign reading OFFLINE. — Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay and Adobe CC, my graphics

These days the papers published by and by in the US about molestation and abuse of minors are disturbing. Alas, it’s not the first time such cruelties occur, they are no specialty of the US and as such the reasons are manifold. The scientific research is well-advanced. I’d like to propose some ideas and measures on how to deal with all of it.

- Remember the cruel fact too, that sensations have to be sold by media, ‘social’ or otherwise.
  Historically, too the more ghoulish, the better.
  In former centuries it was ballad singers on street corners with large wall posters.
- A sad truth too: People involved will get some PR… it’s been proven too, that sensations often sell better than any sympathy campaign…
- Make sure not to consume all of it just because it’s there. Take time off of news and channels.
- These things have reasons partly in the world we live in: Men are supposed to be rich, famous and powerful. Additionally what is also called ‘bodily ‘love” they are supposed to have lots of.
- At the same time their ego may suffer from self-doubts, often severely. An apparent solution to warped minds is this kind of behaviour, especially when doing it in networks: Apparently boosts self-confidence and also makes them money.
- Remember too, that such occurrences are not the norm! Not even the majority. The good people are more!
- Also know – or check – that the numbers in penal offence statistics as well as crime in general for many years have been decreasing! It’s those news and ‘social’ media that can make it appear otherwise.

What we can do is around us, every day: Treat people around us with respect, friendliness and love.

Because anything we do, we can do right here and now, where we are. That’s where we can do the most good!

This is that famous proverb, supposed to be African:

If many little people in many little places do many little things – they can change the face of the earth!

photo with wine glass before evening sky on terrace, smartphone and other digital devices to the side turned off — Image licensed via Adobe CC

‘Social media’ have their limitations and their uses. I use them with care – but I also know what I do not need. I can only share with any of my readers who are wondering: Make sure you ‘turn them off’ regularly, too.

Just as in former times people were wondering about being ‘in’, about ‘belonging’, so can social media these days create the impression that some things are crucial and should and have to be followed in order to be up-to-date.

That is NOT the case!

At some point you will – especially if yet young – come to realize that not ‘every thing’ is worth your while – nor ‘every body’.

Yes, the downside can be that there are people who use these channels just as they would ‘real life meetings’: To bother and torture others they find irritating.

Because that is what bullies do: They try to ‘remove’ the concept, the idea of life that seems to call their own into question.

And there are those that just have to be right, because being wrong is not contained in their own image of themselves. Almost sad really: They usually grow up believing that making mistakes is basically some sort of ‘sin’.
The thing that must not be.

I personally like to deal with social media a little like a tool that can be sharp and should be handled with care and laid down when not necessary anymore.

I like to observe a certain way of being respectful and polite.

But I also know that just as in real life there are all kinds of people around.

But I do not like to be around any kind of people… neither online, nor offline. I stick to my values and aim at spending quality time only with people of like mind.

My father put it rather graphically this way, in regard to judging the majority’s beliefs:

“If a million flies sit on excrement – do you have to sit there too?”