Social media is awesome!
Except when it’s not.
Okay, so don’t get me wrong. I love the fun that is had on Twitter and Facebook and Google+ (are people really on that?) and Instagram (I hear this is fun, but they have a sign on their door that says, “No Flip Phones Allowed”).
I love that I get to keep in touch with friends I see only once a year (hi, ACFWers!) and I love that I get to know people I never would have had the pleasure of knowing in the pre social media era (hi, so many of my fabulous readers!).
But there is one thing that social media has done that is a bit disconcerting.
And that is its propensity toward negativity.
Let’s be honest. As a collective whole, Twitter can be a big meanie.
Just ask Carrie Underwood.
Don’t get me wrong.
I’m all for funny tweets (there were plenty about The Sound of Music Live that had me chuckling).
I’m all for good-natured spoofs.
I’m all for giving trustworthy reviews.
But it seems like people are much too eager to jump aboard the Criticism Express these days. Tickets courtesy of social media.
So much so that when somebody points out the GOOD, it almost feels like a breath of fresh air.
Hear me out.
I’m not talking about calling something that is bad, good.
I’m not saying there’s no place for honest criticism or critique.
I’m simply saying that there’s something refreshing, maybe even admirable, about a person who takes the time to look for the good parts, too.
Because honestly, we live in a world of critics. Humanity is saturated with them.
What might life look like, if instead of wrinkling our nose at the bad, which is all too easy to pinpoint, we trained our eyes to search for the beauty? What might life look like if we held up those pieces for the world to see?
Let’s Talk: Do you think social media has made people too critical or careless with their words?
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Good points, Katie. But honestly, I think we have always had a similar propensity for negativity and criticism (well, since Adam and Eve sinned). It’s just easier to spout it off to the public at large now.
This is so true, Julie! It’s just made our bent toward the negative all the more apparent!
I’d agree, as well. I don’t believe social media brought about a new wave of negativity, it just gave their default attitude a broader stage. Interestingly, it’s helped me see the true side of a few friendships, which has fostered much-needed conversations.
Good thoughts, Katie…and yeah, I’d agree. Social media has not only thrown open a door for mass amounts of negativity, but I think it also has a tendency to make us think our opinions NEED to be heard and MATTER SO MUCH! Um, no…I seriously have moments when I’m like, wait, why do I think people need to know that I think this? I mean, really… 🙂