My wife says there are a lot of people she used to like a lot more before social media. She wasn’t referring specifically to political posts when she made that comment; more to the general ugliness, division, and lack of sympathy that seems to permeate the medium. But politics are definitely a part of it.
Few things set folks off like politics, and it’s something we all should be interested and invested in. Democracy, after all, can’t survive if we don’t participate, and the more active and engaged we are the rest of the year, the more likely we are to participate in the general election and in primary elections, like the one we just held this Tuesday.
So, if I’m encouraging you to be more involved in politics and voting, you may be asking yourself, “Why are you asking us to stop sharing political posts?”
One reason is simple, and harkens back to my wife’s original comment – I want you to all start liking each other again. I want you to start enjoying one another’s company, and participating together in community events. Not as Democrats and Republicans, but as Kentuckians, Carter Countians, and neighbors.
The others are a bit more complex, but just as important.
One is confirmation bias. We’re more likely to find, like, and share items that agree with our preconceived notions about life and the world. This includes our political notions. But just because something agrees with our view of how we believe the world to be, or to the way we would like the world to be (or claims our opponents are diametrically opposed to these notions) doesn’t mean it’s true.
In the world of the internet echo chamber, though, your social media circle will reinforce this notion, even if (in some cases especially if) it turns out not to be based in fact.
This makes it hard for us to objectively examine our own beliefs – a necessary component to growth and personal development, as well as to making sound decisions for ourselves and our future.
Another is the tendency of political meme culture to distill complex issues to their most trite, pithy, and mean-spirited sound bite moments. Because of this tendency, legitimate questions about things like decorum, ethics, and protocol – things we should care about regardless of party and agree on regardless of whether we identify as conservative or progressive – are reduced to more partisan bickering. As a result, the ability to complete even the most basic of tasks grinds to a halt while civility continues to decline.
While that last one is often more the politicians’ fault than that of the voters, we have to acknowledge our own complicity.
When we share those snarky, mean-spirited comments, ones that we know have the potential to hurt a neighbor, we’re part of the problem.
When we share something because the gist of it agrees with our beliefs, without checking to see if it’s factually correct, we’re part of the problem.
When we act irresponsibly, and without thought, as a voter and a citizen, we’re part of the problem.
So, next time you see something funny, witty, and political, before you give in to that urge to hit the share button, stop. Think. Ask yourself if it’s worth causing more strife and heartache. Ask if it’s worth hurting a neighbor, or a family member, or a friend.
And ask yourself if you know for sure if it’s true. If you can’t answer in the affirmative, maybe dig into it a little bit. See if you can confirm it. See if you can find more details or nuance.
Ask yourself if you’re being a responsible citizen, online and in your community. Ask yourself if you’re being the kind of person that makes your friends glad they know you. Ask yourself if you’re being the kind of example you want your children to follow. And make a choice to try and be better.