By Austin Gregoryk – 11/1/21
Since the dawn of time, as people, we have always had difference of views, perspectives, and opinions. Many people to this day, still carry a tribalistic mentality, standing by our own views while butting heads with others who don’t. A lot of new research suggests that social media plays a large role in our unequivocally divisive nature.
While a lot of political scientists are fearful it is all making a negative impact on our country as a whole, solving the problem isn’t entirely clear. Early social networks like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace were created with the intent in mind to bring people together, socially linking us over new mediums of communication. However, with the long growing popularity of these networks, (of course, excluding MySpace) people are taking their passionate political ideals and beliefs to their media presences, attacking others with differing opinions.
If you aren’t quite familiar with what a culture war is, it is basically a difference of opinions, wether they be of political or cultural nature, that two sides hash out with one another. Specific topics would include gender identity, race, politics, and abortion. Arguing over Twitter about same sex marriage with someone who’s profile picture is of a middle-aged older white male wearing a white lettered red cap, is never fun and the entanglement is never fully resolved.
Of course, the most occurring culture war is the debate between the left and the right, arguing over politics. There are cases when even our own friends or family, become caught up in all of the noise, even as far as siding with their own beliefs, over their own family.
The growing divide makes it difficult for us to maintain our ability to stay socially responsible in the outside world. Our ideas and opinions shape who we are, how we act, how we think, with no room for acceptance and understanding otherwise.
Social media has become apart of our every day lives. At least, we can stay in touch with our family and friends with a simple direct message. Though, as various media outlets infest our feeds, intending to shape our way of thinking, subliminally causing us to believe everything we read, that is when we truly begin to separate ourselves further. So what is one powerful skill to practice to avoid getting entangled in Twitter beef with a friend, colleague or an absolute stranger? The answer is media literacy, and just being more understanding and respectful. Media literacy is a skill everyone can practice to keep a healthy, well rounded 360 perspective of the world around you. It is important to have opinions and beliefs. It is even more important to respect others opinions as well.
It seems like a hard pill to swallow, but coming across something you believe is wrong, is never fully resolved anyway once you’ve engaged yourself into a never-ending online argument. We are only divided further, continuing a tribalistic mentality between people. In short, just be respectful, responsible, and stay educated, for this is the only clear advice to give.
Sources:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-social-media-is-so-good-at-polarizing-us-11603105204
https://www.makeuseof.com/ways-social-media-making-society-more-divided/
Austin Gregoryk 