Welcome to A Thought From Brett. This is my online journal, where I can record my thoughts on things, in perhaps a less formal way than my regular posts.
As you can see from the title, I am directing my attention to technology, and in particular, social media.
As you know, a few months ago saw A Tip From Brett post about social media and it’s effects on people in their day to day lives.
There is no denying the positive impact that social media has had, particularly platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. As you’ve seen just from A Word From Brett, it would not be possible for me to advertise my posts to you guys without them. 
The same can be said for other bloggers, journalists, and business owners. It is possible to distribute information to the world with the push of a button.
However, there is that other side to social media. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter are havens for cyber bullying, not just among children and teens, but adults too.
Last year, I was tempted to deactivate every social media account due to the number of posts revolving around the marriage equality plebiscite. I was told that people like me should not be allowed around children, that if I want to “Celebrate people using there bodies unnaturally” (those were the exact words, poor spelling included), I should move to another country.
But enough about the ugliness of last year. Love won, which is all that matters.
In the last few weeks however, something else has caught my eye. I’m not sure why it’s now that I’m noticing it so much, since it has always been there.
No business can advertise their services, no cause can tell of their mission, and no person can express their thoughts without a riot in the ‘Comments’ section.
How often do we see an official post, and underneath it, a tally of 2.5K comments?
You look at them, and you see a long lasting argument.
I’m not denying that freedom of speech is a requirement in a democracy, but I feel there is a point where too much freedom simply spreads negativity, and weighs the soul down.
I realise there is a balance required here. I’m not saying that we should give it up and do as the North Koreans do. I just feel that social media has led to us living in a very passive society.
Think about it. How often does a person, for example, use a service or buy something from a shop. If they have a poor experience, they take to social media and their friends share the hell out of it, sporting comments like,
“The filthy grubs! I’d be demanding my money back! Call the ombudsman!”
9 times out of 10, this is what transpires, rather than taking the old fashioned approach of marching back, speaking to a manager, and telling them that they were not satisfied with the service they received.
Even if, say, a person is in the middle of a feud with a loved one. Instead of having it out face to face, all photos are deleted from social media, and vague nasty posts are put up by both parties.
What saddens me the most is the fact that there doesn’t seem to be a solution. I’m 27, but I don’t really remember a time where the internet didn’t play a part in how we expressed our opinions. Before Twitter, Facebook and Instagram we had MSN Messenger, which many used to convey their thoughts.
What did people do before then? Did people just express their thoughts the old fashioned way, by talking and yelling, actively getting it out there?
Great North Walk, Watagans National Park. Just look at the great outdoors right near our doorstep!
I know it feels like I’m going off on a tangent, but there is something to be said about technology. In the last twelve months I have met a few new people. These people are very positive about everything in their life. What also struck me as odd was how they spent their free time: going on hikes, bush walks, driving to new places and exploring the city and country side.
The significant difference is the fact that these people do not have emotional baggage weighing them down. I feel that social media has a way of allowing people to release this emotional baggage to the world in a passive way, rather than allowing them to appreciate and love the world and people around them.
At the end of the day, life is short. The end can come for any of us at any time, and when it does happen, we don’t want any regrets, wishing we had done things differently.
While I don’t want to sound ungrateful for the benefits social media has brought to the world including me, the last several weeks have shown me a very different side, and how much we miss out on when our heads are spent looking down at our devices.
Until next time,
xoxo Brett
