The following article was sent to me and I thought it was really interesting. I don't think this person is saying that using social media is right/wrong but rather commenting on the effects on society of using these kinds of ways to communicate. After thinking about it and praying about it I realize that I have posted at times in such a way that I probably would not actually speak to another in person. Wonder has anyone else noticed this? Any other thoughts on this?
God Bless MJ
Anti-Social Media Stephen Crosby
A few generations ago, voices were raised in opposition to a new-fangled contraption that was noisy, belched foul fumes, put people out of work, scared women and children, and ruined the quality of life. This nefarious device, the ruination of societal bliss, was the automobile.
Some technological advances seem inevitable. Being ill disposed toward them makes about as much sense as resenting gravity for ruining my opportunity to be a bird. I hope my grievance with the technological inevitably of this age runs deeper than a cranky curmudgeon bemoaning the demise of the quill pen. The object of my anachronistic malaise is the so-called social media (SM).
Ultimately, SM doesnt cause problems. It reveals pre-existing ones. To quote the scripture in modern jargon: Out of the abundance of the heart, the fingers tweet. In three-dimensional terms, a bulletin board isnt responsible for what is tacked there. However, while a nasty Facebook (FB) entry doesnt post itself, the mechanism that makes the nastiness possible and easy, doesnt get a free pass. Even in the courts of law theres such a thing as aiding and abetting. In that sense, SM is guilty. The nastiness and incivility manifest by Christians in the SM universe is a slander against the Lord they proclaim to represent.
We live in the Information Age. Its a statement when an entire era has been categorized by a term. That term has deeply penetrated human consciousness. Modern SM technologies greatly facilitate the speed of generic information exchange. However, life cannot be reduced down to the exchange of data, though scientific materialists would have us think so. Relational communication is more than just information exchange. As a culture, we are more informed than any generation in history. We are also more relationally broken than any generation in history, including within the church.
American Pentecostal Christians have the highest divorce rate of any subgroup, worse than even atheists.[i] Fifty percent of all pastors marriages will end in divorce.[ii] The average American, by the age of 50 has experienced 3 church splits. The chances of survival in one, is less than 50%. So, whatever we think we are informed about, it does not translate into living well socially.
For generic information exchange and benign chatter, SM is fine. However, SM technologies do not contribute to the quality of more substantive interpersonal communication and relationships. Within the universe of Christian issues rather than contributing to social behavior, it contributes to the anti-social behavior lurking in the hearts of users such as:
A lack of civility.
Forget spiritual and biblical issues for the moment. Just basic human politeness seems to go out the window in SM, especially when dealing with a point of view contrary to ones own. The anonymity inherent in SM seems to have a the uncanny effect of drawing the worst out of believers just as darkness impels a raccoon to sniff through garbage. Insecure zealots and crusaders with the self-restraint of an abused pit bull and the finesse of a drunken lumberjack with a chain saw, prowl FB looking for their next conquerable foe.
Disingenuousness.
In January of 2011, a woman with over 1,000 friends on FB announced she intended to commit suicide. She did. None of her so-called friends bothered to check on her or offered to help her. Some lived within walking distance. Some posted mocking FB postings. Whatever these 1,000+ people were, they werent friends, in any sense of the word that I understand.
A false sense of identity.
Through the skilled use of SM techniques, that are often encouraged in order to build your tribe, build your network of friends, or build your brand, an individual can create a cyber-world persona. Think psychic avatar. Its not healthy.
A culture of cowardice.
Things are said on FB and blog postings that would never be said face to face. The security of distance and anonymity brings out a false machismo. Ive noticed that males do the overwhelming majority of nasty and hostile SM postings. Perhaps SM is a means by which some in this generation release excess testosterone the way a former generation did on the athletic field or in the boxing arena. I think football and three rounds with the gloves is a better way.
The inability to work through conflict in real life.
Ive noticed that a high proportion of heavy SM users (especially, but not exclusively in the younger generation) simply cannot handle direct interpersonal relationships. They cannot emotionally deal with being socially uncomfortable. They cannot cope with direct, face-to-face, confrontation or conflict resolution. Theyre unable to do the heavy lifting and hard work of making relationships work. Well, in the SM universe, thats rarely going to be required.
In some cases, Ive seen them actually break down in interpersonal dealings: with a wave of the hand, I cant handle this, and a whatever, they just walk away. Well, not all of lifes problems can come to a happy ending as easily as winning a video game, or with a tweet, a FB posting, and within the 20-minute time frame of sitcom. Guess what? In real relationship building you are going to have to endure and do uncomfortable things.
Shortchanging real communication.
Human relationships consist of more than written communication. Human communication involves tone, body language, inflexion, facial expressions, a look in the eye, etc. All of these are lacking. I would suggest that the more serious the matter the less SM should be used. SM media is great for general information exchange, like an event announcement. Its terrible for conflict resolution.
Playing into the worst elements of our sound-bite culture.
SM is not amenable to nuance. Some of lifes most difficult issues cannot be reduced down to a word limit. Many theological and spiritual issues are worth more than sound bite proof-texts hurled at each other through SM. Profitable relational dialogue requires more personal investment than that.
I am certain that there are other problems that could be mentioned. I am also sure I will be thought somewhat out of touch and over-reacting in my perspective. Thats okay. Im only responsible for myself. Ive tested the waters of Christian FB and other social media and found it not worth swimming in. So, this old gray beard killjoy bids adieu to Facebook.
Maybe I should tweet all my friends and let them know.
[i] Pentecostal Christians 44%; atheists and agnostics 37% See Mike McManus, Harriett McManus, and Chuck Colson. Living Together: Risks, Myths, Risks, and Answers. Howard Books, 2008.
[ii] Beyond all Limits by Bill Bright and James Davies.
Copyright 2011 Dr. Stephen R. Crosby |