Why Social Media Gets A Bad Rap
“Social media has infected the world with a sickening virus called vanity.” Kellie Elmore
Whether you commute to work on a plane, train, or automobile, there are unwritten rules the majority of people seem to follow specific to that environment. If you're flying, please don't keep loose change in your pocket and make others wait for you to fish it all out before security. On the subway, stand to the side while others exit the train. In the car, close the gaps with the car in front of you.
The behavioral norms in transportation are lengthy, and if you're new to the process and fail to fall into the "normal," expect to see evil eyes, sharp words, or loud horns.
In a similar way, in the social media world there are those who are just as irritable as rush-hour commuters. These are the people who only want to hear pithy comments, see artistic quality images, and hear what's unique. Of course, it helps if you agree with their particular brand of politics and music choices.
The entire dynamic is fascinating to watch.
Just tonight I saw a tweet where a person said, "Hey Facebook world - I get it! Your dinner looks amazing!"
Ouch.
Is there a norm we missed?
People enjoy celebrating the ordinary events of their lives: a beautiful sunset, a colorful dinner, their baby's smile. Not every day has a wedding, graduation, or otherwise "newsworthy" event, but seeing value in little things makes days seem less mundane and more magnificent. Is that now off limits?
Of course, Twitter defines "snarky" space, but still, the hostility is close to the surface in comments across all mediums. (I won't digress into the hate comments people make in the blogosphere - not my readers, but lots of places I go!) For some reason, Facebook, particularly in the political space, is blamed for making people negative. And, in a broader sense, social media has the bad rap for "infecting" the world with vanity.
However, it seems to me social media doesn't create these virtues in people, but merely reveals them.
If you're angry behind the wheel of a car, you're probably grumpy on Twitter. Do you talk about yourself all of the time at the office? Then maybe the constant stream of Instagram selfies aren't unexpected.
We shouldn't expect quirks to differ between what we know of people in three dimensions and how they are in the social space. (In other words, I don't just write about food A LOT, but I talk about food A LOT!)
Don't blame the medium, when maybe you just don't like the "friend."
Ouch. Was that too strong?! : )