"Social Media" is societal cancer
Discussion
I steer well clear of it in the most part - I post on some discussion forums, but avoid Twitter, FB and the rest.
Everywhere I look, it seems to me that the downsides of social media, and the dangers it represents significantly outweigh the positives (although I do recognise there are some).
I just don't think society, and many of its members are emotionally or intellectually equipped to deal with this level of global connectivity and immediacy. It is causing huge problems with children, undermining democracy, trivialising serious issues, and turning the notion of "truth and fact" into an irrelevance.
I genuinely believe it is a significant global threat.
Human society is based on the generally accepted and shared premise that most people are basically honest most of the time. If nobody is able to trust anyone anymore, then social norms break down. If "the truth" becomes nothing more than a loudly shouted opinion at any given point in time, and there are no ramifications for those who are dishonest, then I can't see how society as we know it will continue to function in the longer term.
The law is already being subverted by trial by social media, the US President clearly feels that he has no obligation to the truth whatsoever, and the voice of the mob goes unchallenged and is unnaccountable.
Views?
Everywhere I look, it seems to me that the downsides of social media, and the dangers it represents significantly outweigh the positives (although I do recognise there are some).
I just don't think society, and many of its members are emotionally or intellectually equipped to deal with this level of global connectivity and immediacy. It is causing huge problems with children, undermining democracy, trivialising serious issues, and turning the notion of "truth and fact" into an irrelevance.
I genuinely believe it is a significant global threat.
Human society is based on the generally accepted and shared premise that most people are basically honest most of the time. If nobody is able to trust anyone anymore, then social norms break down. If "the truth" becomes nothing more than a loudly shouted opinion at any given point in time, and there are no ramifications for those who are dishonest, then I can't see how society as we know it will continue to function in the longer term.
The law is already being subverted by trial by social media, the US President clearly feels that he has no obligation to the truth whatsoever, and the voice of the mob goes unchallenged and is unnaccountable.
Views?
I think SM is fantastic.
I also think crowbars are handy tools for getting tyres off wheels - but some people do use them for breaking and entering.
I was a latecomer to FB as I stuck to forums until the last maybe 3-4 years, and am only recently using Instagram and Twitter more. Still trying to figure out how to get the best out of LinkedIn.
I also think crowbars are handy tools for getting tyres off wheels - but some people do use them for breaking and entering.
I was a latecomer to FB as I stuck to forums until the last maybe 3-4 years, and am only recently using Instagram and Twitter more. Still trying to figure out how to get the best out of LinkedIn.
Never had a FB account, can't see the need so never will. Don't twitter, do instagram whatever that entails, and manage OK without almost all social media. PH has numerous very well-informed people who contribute to a wide range of discussions on various subjects (as per recently with a contribution from an experienced bomb disposal officer, and various legal imputs from qualified PHers) and is therefore worth the trolling and the dross from vacant lots.
Timmy40 said:
Alot of fat/skinny bald blokes pretending to be powerfully built, 6ft 2in Company Directors who know Martial arts?
How about a load of tall/short fat/skinny bald/hairy blokes who work/don't work as directors and are either powerfully built or not with varying martial arts capabilities? That should just about cover it - apart from the smaller number of female PHers, but Mumsnet provides balance in that regard.Timmy40 said:
Alot of fat/skinny bald blokes pretending to be powerfully built, 6ft 2in Company Directors who know Martial arts?
I'm over 6'2", go to the gym three times a week, I run a little business, I know a couple of martial arts and used to teach one, and I have my own hair. I'm overweight, but getting it down slowly. Does that mean I'm banned from PH?TheFlyingBanana said:
I genuinely believe it is a significant global threat.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
TheFlyingBanana said:
I genuinely believe it is a significant global threat.
geeks said:
TheFlyingBanana said:
Jasandjules said:
And what do you think Pistonheads is, when you really break it down?
It isn't the same by any stretch of the imagination.TheFlyingBanana said:
Please explain how a car-themed message board is the same as Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook is getting more like a collection of special interest forums in one place, or mine is. Twitter, as far as I can tell, is like NPE, but even angrier.
And PH is barely car-themed anyway any more.
TheFlyingBanana said:
geeks said:
TheFlyingBanana said:
Jasandjules said:
And what do you think Pistonheads is, when you really break it down?
It isn't the same by any stretch of the imagination.Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff