Your Two Cents
Joe Whitbread
CEO at jsm), Professional Public Speaker, Announcer, Emcee, Voiceover, Game Entertainment, and Live Event Host.
Seems there's a counter opinion to everything now and a platform to spout it.
Whether Olympic ceremonies malcontent or political party contrast during a terrible tragedy, each of us has experienced the back and forth rhetoric in a social media comments section. It's exhausting to watch but still, so many choose to participate in them.
Each of us has the power (and a device) to echo or amplify anything with a simple post, comment, like, or share.
But it's not always about adding our two cents.
Just because it wasn't your original thought or message, doesn't mean you aren't complicit in it's perpetuity or damage with a like or share.
Interestingly, social media allows this silent complicity when we amplify, quietly. "Liking" a hurtful comment or post is kinda like laughing or standing by when a bully is picking on someone.
Online hate or backlash is like a campfire. It's hot and angry by itself, but contained until it spreads. Each of us plays a role in keeping an online fire contained. We can jump in or stop, drop and scroll by.
Remember, everything we think doesn't have to be said. That hasn't changed just because we have social media now.
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Roll your eyes like I do, then keep scrolling. Ignorance is bliss, remember? We have to teach our kids to stop acting like adults for a change. Fight the sometimes insatiable need to opine or retort to everything. Maybe 2+2 is 5 sometimes.
I use this checklist:
If you get a no to any of these questions - and you most likely will,- just move on.
I'm hopeful this LinkedIn article finds you in a place of comfort and kindness, despite any disagreements, discontent, or frustrations you may have. Please feel free to add a nice comment so I know you read this. Maybe, say something kind about someone else too. And use displeasure or disagreements as an opportunity to acknowledge new perspectives you didn't think were even possible before. That's what I try to do.
See you soon!
Wise words. How do you balance expressing yourself and practicing restraint?
Territory Manager at Pumps and Pressure Inc.
4moOlympic ceremonies malcontent? When something is disgusting and wrong it must be called out. I don't care what side of the political spectrum you are on but there are moral standards that should apply to everyone. If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
Wild TV, The Cowboy Channel,RFDTV Canada and Water Network
5moThat’s the tradition of debate, hopefully we can provoke thought that may change minds. If not, at least like minded people know they are not alone. Pretending everything is positive all the time is indeed burying your head in the sand
Wild TV, The Cowboy Channel,RFDTV Canada and Water Network
5moSometimes you need to stand up for what you believe in.