Another nice thing about social media is the complementary aspect of what I mentioned perviously. Because social media lacks censors (for the most part, and excepting totalitarian regimes) there is complete freedom of expression. It is like a modern day Forum, Marketplace, or Hyde Park (if you will). It is the dream of true freedom of speech and freedom of thought. It is the place where all opinions are on the table for comment and critique. The hope is that good ideas will thrive and bad ideas will die. That may be the optimist in me. However, I think this is part of what is at the heart of the strong approval that these last three Pontiffs have had of the use of social media. They know that, in the end, truth will prevail. What is against God will fail and what is for God will thrive. The methods of the use of social media will vary greatly. The temperaments of everyone engaging in social media will modify its use. However, this is its advantage. Many who are accustomed to polite conversation or those who are uncomfortable with critique, and especially those who are uncomfortable with being wrong (or others being wrong: weve seen the XKYCD cartoons about this) will always be uncomfortable with what appears to be unbridled license in this medium. However, I have always felt (ever since I began seriously using social media in 2001) that every conversation is worth having. I have rules, of course. Even thought social media is like the wild west, it is important to have rules. But, too many rules poisons the project. I dont allow yelling (typing in all caps) under any circumstances. I dont intentionally follow minors (Ive been burned by that before). I dont allow vulgarity (there are better ways to get ones point across). I dont friend people who I do not know in real life (that became a necessity once I hit the 5000 friend limit about 10 years ago).But, Ive always allowed every and any opinion to make its case. As a result of these simple rules Ive had some of the finest debates about controversial topics. Ive made many friends online that have translated to real world friendships. Ive seen conversions. Ive see enlightenment, Ive seen fruitful discovery of unfamiliar positions on any number of topics. Ive seen amazing conversations in this medium that generally never happen in real life that have led to any number of real benefits. Ive seen the mobilization of diverse people for charitable needs both big and small. The work of attending to social media is an amazing work if you have thick enough skin to endure the flaming (of which there is no lack) and if you have the courage to engage the messiness of real people who have real opinions that you cant control through power, prestige, or expertise. Social media is like the old saying about the Catholic Church, i.e., here comes everybody. It is the responsibility of each of us to nurture it, respect it, and engage it according to our own abilities. Its not for everyone. Its prone to abuse (Oh, the things Ive witnessed and experience on social media, it could fill a book). Its not for the faint of heart or for those who are thin skinned or for those who think that power, prestige, or profession entitle them to special consideration. Its not for making deep, lasting friendships. Social is not *for* a lot of things. However, it is for all of us.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 05:23:31 +0000