Indians have become unshackled by the power of expression, exchange and access to information provided by social media. News often spreads faster than Fox News and could become viral in the first few minutes of the original post. Internet is switched off in trouble-prone areas, to prevent the spread of false information, which is now more often than ever before.
The nation never was so divided as is now, not only on CAA or NRC but on any issue. Groups for and against the government have become hyper-active, spreading their distorted versions of the news to a sensation-hungry crowd.
Social Media is with a lot of fake news, often divisive and dangerous to the society, even though the authors of the post are more easily identifiable now than at any time before. Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp have come under flak for not taking adequate steps to check the contents and curb fake news. A lot of new IT companies have emerged, whose primary job is to expose fake news. Handlers have the power to alter the choice of governments in elections by the spread of misinformation.
If this is one problem, an abrupt change in our attitudes, which affects our society, people easily divided, based on the true of fake news on the social media and take on their acquaintances and friends. Unfriending and blocking are more frequent than any time, primarily due to lack of forbearance to opposing views.
Touting a large number of friends has become a psychological necessity, people often gloating that they have reached the threshold limit of 5K. Less than five per cent of them could be personally known. Social Media is like a buffet spread-out. One should admit what only is palatable to mind and body and leave the rest untouched. I have often seen people sending private messages, lamenting over one or other’s unacceptable manners on social media.
I recall Yahoo messenger, a craze in its early years, which have folded up. I bet a fatigue syndrome will set in for the most active on social media. I also have noticed Millennials confining to smaller and private chat groups rather than a more extensive platform like Facebook.
Another point is that no one is missed for their absence. The chitter-chatter is still on if one dares to watch from the sidelines, without the mention of the missing person on the social media.
For the moment, there are also takeaways in the form of newer friendships, information and enhancement of knowledge. It is a free publishing tool for the budding artists, poets and writers and a weapon for free thinkers.
From the broad palette offered, one should shun the negatives, like acrimonious exchanges, abusive and unfriendly posts, while trying to build bridges, motivating and strengthening the society for the good of all.
Have you all noticed something? Gods never fight with each other, it is only we, in the name of God.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
