We all want to feel like we are a part of something that matters. It's great that social media platforms create an opportunity where we can identify with movements, churches, causes, non profits - and promote them on our own pages.
Even though it seems harmless - sometimes I get suspicious that this interaction is training me to rely on a "feeling" of connection to a good cause, instead of the good it's actually doing.
I find myself valuing connection to a cause "out there" more than acts of kindness, forgiveness, sacrifice, friendship--things that have been transformational circa forever--and I can do them right here, right now, without a computer.
Without discounting the benefits of using social media, I only mean to capitalize on it's dark side. There's a grey haze over my friends, family, and myself, like we're all under the illusion that out there we'll "find it." Whatever that thing is...the thing that feels big and important and has me at the center, because somehow in promoting this movement, I'm promoting myself as the kind of person who promotes good movements.
We have more than enough platforms to make us feel like we're changing the world, but are we? Tweeting about trendy non-profits does not make you philanthropic...but spending time with inner city kids will. Especially when no one is there to instagram you doing it.
2 comments:
Great work as usual. I LOVE your blog.
I would say that, though I think these "game changers" do a lot more in the feelings arena than actual transformation, you can't lie that fads like TOms clothe kids, bring eyesite, and social hublub as fed revolutions--whether good or bad.
Thanks jonjon!
Yes, I agree.
I'm mostly coming against the person who texts, "I just love people so much" while they are being rude to the barista giving them coffee. You know?
The vanity of social media is that it always reflects US. Even when we are are supporting a good cause, it's easy to love the fact that we're supporting it more than the thing itself.
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