The danger of Social Media

[Stevicus]

I am not seeing many of these people are backbiting in those particular scenarios. If they are approaching a person directly, then to me there is no issue. If they are posting it across other media, then yes.

I see a lot of toxic posts about other people and what they have done wrong and then a lot of holier than though comments against that person. This is backbiting to me, the person is not there to defend these comments, nor most of the time would they want to be.

TV reporting has made this common pace as well.

Regards Tony

I see, although if the target individual does not see what others are posting about him/her, then out of sight, out of mind. But what you're describing also seems more like ganging up with the intent of bullying.

However, another thing came to mind when you wrote "toxic posts about other people and what they have done wrong." It seems like a lot of it might be related to how many people set themselves as moral guardians and judges of other people. It appears related to what some people refer to as "call out culture."

In order to stop it, it would first be necessary to try to convince people that it's toxic. A lot of people think they're doing good and "fighting the good fight" by backbiting, as they believe there's some kind of moral imperative involved.

 

[Samael_Khan]

I see one of the greatest dangers of social media unfolds in the pernicious act of backbiting. Backbiting is one of the greatest spiritual errors any person can make. It has long lasting negative effects.

In all Faiths, they show us how to make ourselves better and not concentrate on errors that we see others may have. In the Bible it says we should "remove the plank from one's own eyes before trying to remove a splinter from another's eye."

So when will this stop?

Do you post or share posts that are showing the errors of others?

How will this pernicious habit stop?

Edit - The definition is:" malicious talk about someone who is not present".

Please discuss, Regards Tony

The worst thing about social media is the comments section. It is just filled with ignorance and tribalism for the most part. The verbal abuse that occurs there is stupendous.

Also another problem is that people generally get exposed to their biases. So a persons feed is continuously just reaffirming their biases without challenging their thinking.

 

[Mock Turtle]

New safety code for kids' online toys and apps

For those of us who grew up without social media all around us, we could generally cope with those who either disliked us or were hell-bent on making our lives as miserable as possible - we usually just ignored them, avoided them, or managed to find ways to deal with them. And if we had a group of friends of our own, all the antis mattered not a jot - and even if we didn't have that many friends, many could manage anyway - we didn't need to know what others might be saying about us. These days, the temptation to find out what others are saying can be quite high, let alone those who interject themselves into our social lives such that we feel the need to respond - and some are stronger, brighter, etc., so as to cope anyway. Unfortunately these days there are so many who aren't so strong or just don't have the necessary support - and of course it could be said that one doesn't have to engage with social media but that is almost impossible these days, especially when one might be missing out on so much. Such a tragedy that so many young people are so affected by all this so as to end their lives.

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

I see one of the greatest dangers of social media unfolds in the pernicious act of backbiting. Backbiting is one of the greatest spiritual errors any person can make. It has long lasting negative effects.

In all Faiths, they show us how to make ourselves better and not concentrate on errors that we see others may have. In the Bible it says we should "remove the plank from one's own eyes before trying to remove a splinter from another's eye."

So when will this stop?

Do you post or share posts that are showing the errors of others?

How will this pernicious habit stop?

Edit - The definition is:" malicious talk about someone who is not present".

Please discuss, Regards Tony

So... are there similar problems with malicious talk about people who ARE present?

 

[BilliardsBall]

I see one of the greatest dangers of social media unfolds in the pernicious act of backbiting. Backbiting is one of the greatest spiritual errors any person can make. It has long lasting negative effects.

In all Faiths, they show us how to make ourselves better and not concentrate on errors that we see others may have. In the Bible it says we should "remove the plank from one's own eyes before trying to remove a splinter from another's eye."

So when will this stop?

Do you post or share posts that are showing the errors of others?

How will this pernicious habit stop?

Edit - The definition is:" malicious talk about someone who is not present".

Please discuss, Regards Tony

Thanks, Tony.

A friend on Tuesday pointed to how social media is fueled by anger and angry people, whether it's religious opinion or opinion about Star Wars or anything else. Hopefully, we Christians are known for tolerance, respect and love!

 

[Quintessence]

When "social media" (hrmph) was on the rise, I'd already had experiences through other forms of internet communication that made me opt out of it entirely. Those experiences were precisely what the OP refers to. To this day, I still own precisely zero "social media" accounts. From time to time, I think about redacting that decision. Then I remember all the other reasons why I refused to engage with so-called "social media." I despise gossip, and these platforms are often little more than gossip machines that also spy on you constantly for someone else's gain. Worse, they are now being routinely used for disinformation and misinformation campaigns. It's disgusting. There are a lot of things that would need to change about these places for me to consider stepping into them. At this juncture, the internet shutting down is more likely to happen first.

 

[james bond]

I see one of the greatest dangers of social media unfolds in the pernicious act of backbiting. Backbiting is one of the greatest spiritual errors any person can make. It has long lasting negative effects.

In all Faiths, they show us how to make ourselves better and not concentrate on errors that we see others may have. In the Bible it says we should "remove the plank from one's own eyes before trying to remove a splinter from another's eye."

So when will this stop?

Do you post or share posts that are showing the errors of others?

How will this pernicious habit stop?

Edit - The definition is:" malicious talk about someone who is not present".

Please discuss, Regards Tony

The truth hurts, but can you give a couple examples of backbiting?

Gossiping isn't good even though it may be true. Are you talking about something that is true or something someone is making up to get back at somebody?

 

[Heyo]

When "social media" (hrmph) was on the rise, I'd already had experiences through other forms of internet communication that made me opt out of it entirely. Those experiences were precisely what the OP refers to. To this day, I still own precisely zero "social media" accounts. From time to time, I think about redacting that decision. Then I remember all the other reasons why I refused to engage with so-called "social media." I despise gossip, and these platforms are often little more than gossip machines that also spy on you constantly for someone else's gain. Worse, they are now being routinely used for disinformation and misinformation campaigns. It's disgusting. There are a lot of things that would need to change about these places for me to consider stepping into them. At this juncture, the internet shutting down is more likely to happen first.

How do you define "social media"?
For me it is any place online that allows to communicate with a group of people. That includes usenet, email lists, YouTube comments and RF.

 

[stvdv]

I see one of the greatest dangers of social media unfolds in the pernicious act of backbiting. Backbiting is one of the greatest spiritual errors any person can make. It has long lasting negative effects.

In all Faiths, they show us how to make ourselves better and not concentrate on errors that we see others may have. In the Bible it says we should "remove the plank from one's own eyes before trying to remove a splinter from another's eye."

So when will this stop?
Do you post or share posts that are showing the errors of others?
How will this pernicious habit stop?
Edit - The definition is:" malicious talk about someone who is not present".
Please discuss, Regards Tony

Maybe it's a little more subtle then this.

When all humans are perfect, then there is no backbiting
Nowadays humans are far from perfect
Backbiting is part of it now

Newton said that action generates reaction. Others call it karma.

It might be similar to "you need a thorn to remove a thorn"
Or sometimes policemen use "dirty tricks" to get "dirty violent" criminals behind bars
I think it is part of the game on earth till evolution gets a little further; takes ages

On a personal level you can decide to abstain from it
But on worldwide level it will only get better if all humans get "better"

 

[TransmutingSoul]

I see, although if the target individual does not see what others are posting about him/her, then out of sight, out of mind. But what you're describing also seems more like ganging up with the intent of bullying.

However, another thing came to mind when you wrote "toxic posts about other people and what they have done wrong." It seems like a lot of it might be related to how many people set themselves as moral guardians and judges of other people. It appears related to what some people refer to as "call out culture."

In order to stop it, it would first be necessary to try to convince people that it's toxic. A lot of people think they're doing good and "fighting the good fight" by backbiting, as they believe there's some kind of moral imperative involved.

That is what I see has happened, it has become a part of life and it helps no one change, it only makes it worse.

From. A religious perspective, there is no Faith that does not condemn these actions, so in a large way it shows the health of one's own faith if they partake of backbiting, or participate actively in it.

I see It is time to put the foot down, if the unity of humanity is to ever happen, then this practice needs to cease. We need to help people, not destroy them.

In the community where I live I have seen FB posts that are so toxic, it is a wonder these people are not hanging from a tree. Thee are posts on RF aimed at showing the faults of others, posted with some entertainment value in mind.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

The worst thing about social media is the comments section. It is just filled with ignorance and tribalism for the most part. The verbal abuse that occurs there is stupendous.

Also another problem is that people generally get exposed to their biases. So a persons feed is continuously just reaffirming their biases without challenging their thinking.

I see a lot of that on youtube, lots of good comments, and then comes the attacks.

It is time to say this is not acceptable, in fact, to me, it is way past time and needs to stop for the health of everyone on this planet.

Stay well ans stay happy Regards Tony

 

[Samael_Khan]

I see a lot of that on youtube, lots of good comments, and then comes the attacks.

It is time to say this is not acceptable, in fact, to me, it is way past time and needs to stop for the health of everyone on this planet.

Stay well ans stay happy Regards Tony

I mean, its ok to criticise people, but in a respectful manner. Just throwing insults and affirming ones prejudices is pathetic.

I was once watching a youtuber who was a burn victim commenting on political matters. The majority of the comments was about how funny he looked and that he reminded them of a zombie. I was disgusted.

What is wrong with people that they say such things? Do they not care about others feelings?

I agree with you that it has to be stopped. But i think rather through education and helping people become empathetic. The problem with censuring speech is that the government can use it to suppress opinions and facts that they dont like which is dangerous.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

So... are there similar problems with malicious talk about people who ARE present?

That happens and yes there are problems with that as well. Most of the time backbiting will not happen in the presence of that person, most will not have the intestinal fortitude to say the bad to a persons face.

Depending on the situation, at least the person is there to defend themselves and those that are fair will balance what has been said.

The key to all this is written in may Faiths and it says not to breath the sins of another, while you yourself are still a sinner.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Thanks, Tony.

A friend on Tuesday pointed to how social media is fueled by anger and angry people, whether it's religious opinion or opinion about Star Wars or anything else. Hopefully, we Christians are known for tolerance, respect and love!

That's the way, well done.

Strategies as to how to change a conversation also need to be identified. Over the years at work, I try to get a word in and then immediately change the topic completely on to a work necessity.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

The truth hurts, but can you give a couple examples of backbiting?

Gossiping isn't good even though it may be true. Are you talking about something that is true or something someone is making up to get back at somebody?

An example given in one dictionary - "An example of backbite is for a political candidate to say harmful things about the character of his opponents."

I see there is always two sides to a story and the truth is somewhere in between. Backbiting favors the side of one person. If it is the truth, it is still not ok to talk about the person behind their back, this is a hard fault to remedy.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

On a personal level you can decide to abstain from it
But on worldwide level it will only get better if all humans get "better"

Thank you stvdv, Yes I see that the journey does start when we decide it is time to change ones own self.

I see that is a fundamental cause for good, given in all Faiths.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

I mean, its ok to criticise people, but in a respectful manner. Just throwing insults and affirming ones prejudices is pathetic.

I was once watching a youtuber who was a burn victim commenting on political matters. The majority of the comments was about how funny he looked and that he reminded them of a zombie. I was disgusted.

What is wrong with people that they say such things? Do they not care about others feelings?

I agree with you that it has to be stopped. But i think rather through education and helping people become empathetic. The problem with censuring speech is that the government can use it to suppress opinions and facts that they dont like which is dangerous.

Yes that is a poor reflection on the mind of man when we would comment in such a way. I see it is the actions or comments that must be addressed and not the person giving them.

To me it is quite appropriate for us to discuss the actions and comments, but no aimed at a personal attack.

It will take some change in how we now educate, as current Nature and Nurture are bringing many people up in these toxic mindsets.

Regards Tony

 

[Samael_Khan]

Yes that is a poor reflection on the mind of man when we would comment in such a way. I see it is the actions or comments that must be addressed and not the person giving them.

To me it is quite appropriate for us to discuss the actions and comments, but no aimed at a personal attack.

It will take some change in how we now educate, as current Nature and Nurture are bringing many people up in these toxic mindsets.

Regards Tony

I totally agree with you that we need to educate people in a certain way.

 

[stvdv]

I mean, its ok to criticise people, but in a respectful manner. Just throwing insults and affirming ones prejudices is pathetic.

I was once watching a youtuber who was a burn victim commenting on political matters. The majority of the comments was about how funny he looked and that he reminded them of a zombie. I was disgusted.

thanks for sharing. That shows how sick people are nowadays.
My Master used to say "What you see in others, is also in you". The ones commenting were zombies themselves (devoid of Love)

What is wrong with people that they say such things? Do they not care about others feelings?

"Not care" can be cured. Zombiism is hard to cure. If you have a little feeling you never do such a thing. ZERO empathy + ZERO compassion

 

[Quintessence]

How do you define "social media"?
For me it is any place online that allows to communicate with a group of people. That includes usenet, email lists, YouTube comments and RF.

Online communications platforms used to non-anonymously manage relationships with other people - especially people you actually know in real life - that are mediated by a for-profit third party. That's the kind way of putting it. The for-profit third party rarely, if ever, has the interests of its customers in mind. In practice, it's a highly invasive spying and advertising network that serves the interests of corporations more than it does the interests of actual people.

Technically "social media" encompasses more than that, but the ones that are the problem and worth talking about are the for-profit corporate mediators that have usurped human communications in ways that are staggering and dangerous. It is a tremendously bad idea to have unfiltered, unregulated global communications networks controlled by private, for-profit corporations that lack proper oversight or regulation. It was a recipe for disaster, and those disasters have already been happening.

But I'm a grump about these things. Social media is a good idea on the surface of it, but then humans start using it. And... well... humans.