Social media was created in the hope that it would allow meaningful
communication between human beings. It was a place to share your thoughts, have discussions, promote beliefs, share stories of interest and the like.
It started out as something good but has now morphed into something that is not recognizable and edging into something oppressive and almost evil. This goes from the top echelon within those companies, right down to the end-user.
We, the end-users, are allowing and, in many cases, promoting this.
In the 18 century, a little-known English historian/Politian, Lord Acton made this now-famous statement: Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
This is proving itself in almost every aspect of today’s society. You can
almost guarantee that any post that is put out on the web, including this
one, will have some form of negative comment tacked onto it. People will
voice opinions about things for which they have no knowledge or proof.
Some of this is just to be ugly to others. Many are no longer even cordial with their responses. They even go after specific individuals in a public setting.
You can hide behind a keyboard, and it becomes easy to be uncivilized because no one knows who you are, no one knows where you live.
Chances are much of what is said online would not be passed on face to face. You can say what you want to or about anyone without fear of reprisals. All this is being done under the guise “freedom of speech”.
Yes, it is your “right” to say whatever you want; it is also your right to “choose” as to whether that verbiage is nice or ugly. Many do not think about what or how their statements are affecting others.
The United States of America was founded on the principle that every
man/woman right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Social media has now reached a point where you are only allowed that if you agree with the opinion of the directors of that social media, which we are now witnessing with all the censoring that is occurring online.
Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, you should be genuinely concerned with the situation that is developing. Currently, lawmakers are remaining silent as what is happening, at this point, fits their agenda.
If this is not put in check soon, the social media tycoons will become so powerful that even governments will not be able to control them. The lawmakers will regret remaining silent. We are almost at this point right now.
Social media needs to be changed. We, the end-user, can start this process by being a little nicer to each other online. We can start by thinking of the consequences of our online personalities and how what we say affects other people and beyond. I think American society is at the brink. Let’s all take a step back before we go over the edge.
I fully expect to have this letter blasted apart by people. Doing that will
prove my point. There is also the possibility that this letter will be censored. That would also prove my point. However, you would not be reading this.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dan Henson
Barefoot Bay
