Have People Really Lost Their Scruples & Integrity?
Forget About Bullying... This Is Crazy
In the last 24 hours I have witnessed more online and social media fighting than I care to count. But two really stood out and stressed me overnight. I was saddened by the lack of respect for others. I was upset over the velocity these people were quick to point an accusing finger.
Speaking for myself, I really avoid drama. It is unhealthy. Physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally.
First, I went onto Facebook to check some pictures of my grandchildren dressed in their Halloween costumes yesterday and the first "story or post" that popped into my viewing was from a girl I went to high school with.
Second, Steemit was bombarded with a bullying I have never quite seen before.
Number One- Facebook
She was arguing with her children, I think three maybe- not sure I lost count after 46 comments, and they were name-calling, flinging accusations and swearing up a storm. All over... money.
From what I gathered, someone loaned their sibling money and that person never paid the first person back. So mom (the girl from high school) intervened. Within a matter of minutes it got very hostile.
What made this so sad is that words were spewed. Hateful words. Unthinkable accusations flew across the computer screen. The "F" word was used as an adjective in EVERY comment.
OMGoodness! Pass the Tums, please. I was stressed just reading this, and it wasn't even my family, drama or children.
On a second sad note... this was available for EVERYONE in this girl's news feed to see and read.
Really? Is that what our society has come to?
Fight online. Involve innocent bystanders and people who scroll through the feeds?
Number Two- Steemit
Recently I had made a comment on a post here and as I was scrolling through some replies and comments last night I came across some that had multiple people posting. So I stopped in for a quick update about the post and comments.
I never should have stopped by.
I witnessed a minimum of six steemit accounts "attacking" the original poster. (NOTE: these six people have NEVER made an actual post and I think they joined just to hound and harass the poster)
Regardless of what was happening, and if the six accusers are correct, I don't believe in this form of online "bullying". If the poster really did what you are accusing him of then this needs to be a battle in the court system. Not here.
This is a platform of writing, blogging and possible income. Not a place for people who feel they were wronged to fling accusations and belittle someone.
Don't get me wrong, I am all for the First Amendment and the freedom to share your view, opinion and voice a legitimate concern... but what I read and witnessed was heinous and I couldn't believe what I was reading.
I am heart-sick over the way our society has evolved into accuse and act as executioner, judge and jury. If we don't like someone, or who they are, what they stand for or their beliefs, does that automatically give us the right to stand on a pedestal and dole out a guilty verdict?
I see it every day in politics and it disheartens me to no end. Hence why I stopped the social media platforms and came to steemit. I stopped watching the news 24/7. I couldn't handle the disrespect that people felt they were entitled to administer to others.
I saw more fights and arguments online yesterday, but these two really stuck out to me.
I am saddened for all parties involved in both of these struggles and controversies, but please, keep the boxing gloves off steemit and other social media websites. Don't drag others into your disputes. We have enough on our own plates.
So my vow now? No more Facebook. And to stop reading at the first negative comment I see and continue on my way.
I just wish that people would see that this world is such a beautiful place and that we really need to just have love for each other and get along. Lets be happy for each others successes, and be supportive of those who fall on hard times. Life is too short folks to not live this way. Spread the love
I agree. There is so much 'hatred' and discontentment in the world and it has become a hindrance for everyone. .
Yes, life is way too short for such nonsense
Sometimes it's best to just unfollow people. I've even unfollowed some family on facebook. I can't deal with the drama and disrespect. Very sad sometimes the world we live in. Not everything needs to be aired out for the world to see. Happy Halloween goldendawne!!
Thank you @deerjay
Happy Halloween to you too!
Unfollowing seems to be the new "habit" of mine.
I have been 'unfriended' by family members because they felt since I didn't agree with them, I was unworthy of their online presence.
Yep, can totally relate. What ever happened to agreeing to disagree?! I thought things were hard when I grew up..smh. I am so close to shutting down facebook but it is the only communication I have with a couple people in the family that I'm ok with.
only reason I still have FB is to see the hundreds of pics of my grandchildren.
I've asked my kids to just text me pics but I think they forget half the time and since they LIVE on FB, that's where they post pics. (((SIGH)))
I think that the way people act on platforms like facebook is just part of the larger problem of the main stream media's "divide and conquer" agenda. This stuff is fed to people from every avenue available, and it permeates every part of their being over time. The way the act is a reflection of all the propaganda that they see every day. I don't own a TV. I only go to facebook about every 2-3 days to catch up on the couple of groups that I follow, and that's about it.
I AGREE! I think the way FB has been politicized is sad.
It's no longer a place to catch up with old friends form yesteryear. Now it's a place to 'seek' fights, political differences are ramped up and people just forgot good manners and etiquette.
Years ago I was friends with and followed a guy from high school on FB. He was so political that I stopped following him. Had actually forgotten about him. But one day last year he had posted in our high school group and I thought... oh, wow! What happened to him? I don;t see his posts.
So I went to his page... looked at a few posts and IMMEDIATELY remembered why I stopped following him. All politics and name-calling of people who didn't agree with him and his views. "Unfollowed again"