On Social Media and Thought

Social media has brutally murdered independent thought.

The easy access we have to massive amounts of information has caused it's value to diminish. Now, we are so saturated with information that actual thought is endangered. We swan dive into a river of memes, status, and tweets and follow the current, drowning in "facts" as we float along. We're getting lazy. It's easy to read snippets of information on Facebook, or look at doctored infographics and memes, or read a friend's status. Now, many of our opinions stand on a weak foundation, or none at all, and we can't survive the storm of a political conversation. We're not making any progress.

Learning and knowing should be sought after and respected. If it was harder to access information, we wouldn't take it for granted. We would read multiple texts, we would have discussions, we would observe the world. Only after significant thought, reading, and research would our opinions form. These opinions, formed with the most solid foundation, would be difficult to break down, and could weather any political conversation.

Where are the real conversations? The ones where we discuss our beliefs and experiences over wine? The ones where we are confident enough to accept and understand other people's opinions without changing our own?

In it's place? Share a meme. Like a status. Furiously type insults knowing you are protected by the screen. Do the very things you claim to stand against.

Let's reject misinformation. A lie is a lie, regardless of which opinion it claims to support. Instead, make your opinion stronger by building up its own foundation, do your research, read multiple articles, from multiple websites, consider and think about author bias, volunteer, talk with people, consider other point of views while standing firm in your own.

To be clear, I am not saying that there is anything wrong with sharing information and opinions on social media, so long as it's done correctly. In fact, it has the power to make monumental change. However, we need to do this right.

If you want to state a political opinion on social media, do so with grace, dignity, and the knowledge that others might challenge you. If you are challenged, remain respectful, understanding, and kind at all times. Know that you can be all of those things while being firm and steadfast in your beliefs. Support your opinions with verified and reliable sources, and do not resort to lies or insults.

Use your platform to inspire, not degrade.

Don't tell people why they're wrong, show them why you're right.

More importantly though, be your opinions. Volunteer, donate money, join an organization, start a blog, peacefully protest, sign petitions. Read, research, observe, explore, and learn. Respectfully share what you learn with others. It will go much farther than a like, I promise you.

Our country is in the midst of a huge transformation. Tensions and emotions are high, and we need to make sure that this does not get in the way of progress. Now, more than ever, we need to stand up for each other. We need to fight for our families and friends. We need to use truth and respect to stand our ground.

Your opinion might be valid, but if it is supported on a weak foundation, full of lies and false-truths, you will move the cause backwards.

Your mind was your most important gift. Use it.

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