“Nothing vast enters the life of mortals without a curse.”–Sophocles
After much encouragement, my wife and I finally watched The Social Dilemma. I had expected to learn more how we can protect our children (and ourselves) from the power of the internet. Instead, I concluded (what I already knew) that we have a Spiritual problem. I listened to one tech executive after another humanize technology, referring to “platforms” and “companies” seemingly distancing themselves from responsibility. Granted, they may not have understood the monsters they were creating at the beginning, but they did keep adding the lines of code. The docudrama highlights the addictive hold that social media has and is tightening on us, but I couldn’t help but see the human weakness in it all. Like everything, of course, we have choices. We have a brain—that we often neglect to use. We are subject to “fake news” and manipulation because we allow ourselves to be. Some are certainly more vulnerable than others—particularly our children. Nevertheless, we subject ourselves to social media’s hold.
I don’t say this is a Spiritual problem because we are godless or fail at religion, but because we fail at being human. It is a Spiritual problem because we all tend toward self-centeredness. We forget that we are to “love our neighbor as ourself”.
Social media platforms can be a tool or a drug. The algorithm is programmed to follow our lead. It can be helpful—like with information searches—or it can lead us down the rabbit hole—like with what it learns from our searches. In the end, the algorithm is simply revealing us more than it is manipulating us.
Personally, I know that social media can fuel my negativity, if I allow it. Social media can also fuel my gratitude, if I make it. I know that I am in control. I can turn the light on myself, or I can strive to be a light for others. Choice.
We are heading toward social destruction if something is not done. We don’t have to be addicted to social media. We get to use it as a tool to reach other—of course, positively or negatively. Choice.
Personally, I want to be optimistic. I can’t say that I am, but I can be.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow,
Carpe momento!