Social Media, Listen to Your Mom

I really don’t get it. Social media I mean. Why is the goal to just get people mad?

I mean really. Maybe my mom was different. But I know she always told me not to call other people names. Not to say nasty things, and try not to hurt other people’s feelings. And to treat them like I wanted to be treated.

I’m guessing most moms told their kids that. But lots and lots either didn’t hear it, or are just ignoring it.

It’s cool now to call people names. Whether it’s “libtards” or “Cheeto-head” or any of a million others, it doesn’t matter. Even if they do it to you! Mom would say: just don’t do it. And it never gets you anywhere. It just pisses off the people you’re having the discussion with.

Which of course is what they want. (Why, I don’t know.) They want to get other people mad. It’s their whole goal. And they love it, so much so they even convince themselves they’ve done it, when they’re actually not even close. I had what I thought was a discussion the other day on Facebook. The poster put something I didn’t agree with, and I pointed out the factual inaccuracies. (I do that, you know.) To which the poster replied something about “so I see you’re all upset over this.” I’m not sure how calling out lies comes across as upset. But I guess it does when that’s the whole goal.

Really, I don’t understand. Thecla Morgan, if she were still alive, would be pretty mad at me if I behaved like that.

Mom also told me not to lie. She pushed that one real hard. So I try not to. Now I’m not perfect, but I try to only post things that I am pretty sure are factual. Sometimes I get it wrong, and when I do, if you tell me and provide evidence, I’ll thank you for it. Of course I’m talking about facts, not opinions. You may not agree with my opinions or conclusions, but that doesn’t mean either of us are lying.

But when I point out lies to most people, they don’t thank me. And they don’t take the post down either. Normally they just get pissed off at me and call me names. (“Boy, I bet you feel all great and superior now, don’t you”) Or something like that. Stupid me, I figure most people want to tell the truth...

I have a lot of flaws. I know that. But I try to remember what mom said to me.

I don’t have an answer, other than listen to your mom, and do what she told you. And if she wasn’t as fair, honest, and decent as my mom, then you’re living life with a handicap. And I’m genuinely sorry.