Eldon-Online

Where Social Media Fails Society

I actually love technology ... most of the time. All of those good things that it has brought to our lives to make them easier, simpler, quicker ... and enables us to keep in touch. With my travel schedule, family in various parts of the world, visiting offices in different locations and all that entails, technology including social media means I am almost always in touch or at least contactable. That's the upside. But I worry about a growing downside - especially involving the technology we call social media.

 

During the last few months I have started to hear the word empathy used an awful lot more than I have previously. It is a valuable human trait that we are in real danger of losing, and if we do so it will be to the detriment of the world, but let me explain the connection.

 

On August 18, 1988, George H. W. Bush received his party's nomination for President of the United States of America. In his acceptance speech, he called for a "kinder, gentler nation." A sentiment echoed and welcomed I am sure by the majority of people around the world, not just in the USA. Fast forward 30 years and I'm not entirely sure where it has eventually led us, but I don't see much of that sentiment in evidence today. And it has been a growing concern for me. For example, go back to the trolling that was going on when someone supported a particular course of action that others disagreed with - only to find they were then subjected to unidentified and vitriolic attacks on them via "social media", by people who did not have the courage to be identified as being behind an alternative viewpoint and - worse - using highly charged language to vent their anger.

 

But it really sank to low depths last week in Hong Kong when, following the suicide of the 25year old son of the Undersecretary for Education, cowardly internet users were taunting the Undersecretary, and "congratulating" her on the suicide. Whilst she may not have been the most popular recent appointee to Government - that is absolutely no excuse for such behaviour. Thankfully many right-minded people have come out publicly to express their outrage at this misuse of social media: although that said, perhaps not quite everyone! The Students Union said they regretted the suicide but also said that one should ensure that the concept of freedom of speech must be respected. What?? Oh well ... that's all right then, say anything you like because it is "freedom of speech". I am sorry, no it's not!!! Freedom of speech, yes I am all for it, but where do these people get their ideas that making callous, cruel and personally hurtful remarks against an individual while hiding behind an anonymous mask counts as "freedom of speech"? It goes against every idea of common decency, and indicates a complete lack of empathy.

 

But look, isn't the cause of this becoming embedded in the way in which children grow up today. (And before you jump up and down - no, not all children). Having been handed a means of communicating with other people without actually having to look them in the eye, or allowing them to operate remotely behind an alias - even using someone else's pictorial identity they suddenly adopt a meaner, less caring attitude to life. They will of course point out, they have lots of "friends" - except they haven't met many/any of them yet, at least not in real life. And they feel emboldened by their ability to use strong language and words - and feel "braver" for it because they do not run the risk of identification. So far anyway - although I am very against the "big brother" scenario that this suggests is the only way to curb these outrages.

 

And the other downside to using "social media" for communication purposes is the inability to understand from the inflections or tone of voice a situation that a real life conversation would convey. The ability to misinterpret, sometimes deliberately, what has been written is high - often because it has been written ambiguously, which leads to further, misunderstandings, hate mail even ... and all in the name of "freedom of speech". A child brought up with the ability to be empathetic would stand a better chance of understanding.

 

The amount of hate in our world is on the increase, which means we must encourage our children to use social media for all the right and positive reasons, but also teach them to communicate verbally with one another. To understand emotion, to create feelings and speak out their thoughts directly to one another and to adults so that if they have a point of view - they should express it clearly and confidently,  and watch the reaction on someone's face as to the impact it has.

 

But for now ... a kinder gentler world? ... I wish.

Ignorance Is Not Bliss.

I have come to the realisation that a number of my Blogs recently have been directed at, shall we say, an older and occasionally wiser generation. That said I had lunch a couple of days back with a young man, Hong Kong Chinese, who is definitely of the next generation and who I found refreshing, stimulating, capable of straddling the line between tradition and tech, and who gave me renewed hope for the future - unless Artificial Intelligence (A I) gets there first of course. But more of that meeting later … in another Blog perhaps.

But in this one, I wanted to get something off my chest (my waist line too come to that), and this is serious.

Along the general theme of "Ignorance is Bliss", I get continuously surprised by people of my generation, give or take plus or minus 12.5%, although particularly in the lower numbered ages, who do not take good care of themselves properly in the medical sense of the word. Not true, you will say. We are all very conscious today of what we have to do and eat. Just have a look below and tick the boxes that apply:

 Watch the diet:                ✔︎     

Do some exercise:             ✔︎

Remain mentally active:    ✔︎

Annual Medical:                x

The most common reason for the last one getting negative reviews? “Well, I’m never ill and I don’t want to disturb the doctor unnecessarily”. The chances are, though, that if you don't do something about regular check-ups you certainly will be disturbing the doctor - with cause! And what does it take - a few hours (very few) of your time. You just need to get to a medical centre somewhere that specialises in such things, and if you are fortunate enough to be in Asia then you have a variety of options (and prices, of course) at your disposal.

When I was in full-time employment, I was lucky enough to be “forced” into having an annual medical exam. So, when I retired I thought I should keep it going. Let’s face it, if you have a car that is ageing, most Governments these days require you to have it regularly tested to ensure that it remains roadworthy and to fix the parts that aren’t. It may be running along quite nicely on a day-to-day basis, but you don’t necessarily spot a worn tyre or brake pad. 

So it is with our bodies. We think we are running along perfectly well, and suddenly the bottom falls out of everything and you find yourself in deep trouble - or worse, someone else finds you.

Which of course leads me into why I am now more than ever convinced that having regular health checks is a good idea. I was the recipient of news - some time ago now - as a result of my annual medical check that indicated a cancer marker was on the increase, and common sense together with a dose of self-preservation suggested I needed to pay attention.

Until writing this Blog, no-one outside my family (obviously excluding members of the medical profession who have been involved) had any idea about my diagnosis. I didn't want to make a fuss about it. It was a cancer of the sort that has a much better success rate of cure than others, particularly if you catch it in time. It was identified, monitored, scanned and has now been dealt with, hopefully fully successfully. Only time will tell of course but everyone involved is pretty confident. I would, prior to, during, and after this whole process, defy anyone to have identified that there was anything out of the ordinary with regard to my health.

And I would have happily kept it that way but my point is this. Through the whole process from start to finish I have not felt ill, weak, or in pain. I therefore would have seen no point whatsoever in going to see a doctor. However, if I had left it to grow and to get worse heaven knows what stage it might have got to before I became another potentially negative statistic.

Let's be realistic, can you be tested and be negative on day 1, only for something unpleasant to happen on day 2 - yes of course you can. But that tends to be the exception.

If your dearly beloved old banger (non native English speaking Brits might need to click the link for that one) needs a regular test to ensure that it is being lovingly maintained and cared for, doesn't it make sense for you to do the same? It's funny, most of the women I talk to about annual medical exams get it (but may not do it). But to everyone of at least a certain age - and even all you macho tough guys out there, do yourselves a favour and do something - if not at least for you but for your families and loved ones -  and get a regular check up.

This truly is a case where ignorance may not be bliss at all.