I can’t blame the advent of social media for the slew of antisocial behaviours we’ve seen over the years that have become normalised at this stage.
Social networking is a bit like physics: momentum going in is momentum coming out.
It’s far more comfortable for people to blame the tool instead of whomever is wielding it.
For example, if someone posting something joyous is derided by others cynically as “they’re only sharing the good parts of their life,” why on Earth aren’t we countering that cynicism with questions asking why cynicism is their initial response? “Who hurt you, bro” is a meme at this point but there’s still a massive kernel of truth.
When someone posts something indicating they’re in crisis and certain people dismiss it as “They’re just doing it for attention,” why aren’t we challenging that often callous response with questions asking if they’d been treated that way when they were going through it?
@theauracle The internet allows incredible casual cruelty, as I'm sure you know. It's awful.
@theauracle It is most disheartening to see it from those that think they're 'good' as well.
@sullybiker It is but I think the disheartening bit comes from the conviction those who grandstand as “good” people are doing the exact same thing those deemed “bad” do to justify their actions: using their being aggrieved as a licence to kill.