Social media has become an integral part of our lives. It has changed the way we communicate, coordinate, organize and do business. Companies understand that successful marketing requires a strong social media presence, so they are investing heavily in this area. However, there are also some potential dangers associated with using social media. It can be used to spread disinformation and manipulate people into believing something that isn't true. The lack of controls and regulations also makes it easy for malicious actors to misuse these platforms.
‘It’s easier to fool people than it is to convince them they have been fooled’ – Mark Twain
Social media has revolutionized how we communicate, breaking down barriers between age groups, peers, and workplaces. It can be a great tool for networking, connecting people, and quickly sending out warnings in times of crisis. Yet, it also poses risks due to the lack of control and filters, as individuals are now vulnerable to security threats, bias, and other societal issues.
When it comes to tackling societal issues, we often turn to the wisdom of university professors. But what happens when even they are not immune to bias?
Overall, the internet should be a platform for free expression, access to knowledge, and connection, but it must also be a place where users feel safe and secure. Governments and web developers must work together to ensure that the internet is a safe space for everyone.
We can make new friends, spread a message and communicate with strangers on the other side of the world that share similar interests. It can remind us that we’re not alone no matter how niche our interests.
We are all future potential. Our past doesn’t necessarily define us and we often lose interest in things that once captivated us. Sometimes we become interested in other things, grow into adulthood armed with new information and move on from who we once were. It can be difficult to move on from our past if we are constantly reminded of who we were. It is important to accept our past, but also to focus on the present and the future. Reminders of our past can be beneficial in that they can help us to reflect on our experiences and learn from them, but it is important to recognize when it is time to move on and focus on new goals and objectives. People or colleagues we may have only met briefly are now with us indefinitely for as long as the platform is relevant or we remove them.
Social media has drastically changed how we perceive ourselves and others. While it may appear to be a platform to project our ideal selves, the truth is that it can often be far from reality. People may post only the best parts of their lives or omit anything negative, giving others an inaccurate depiction of who they are. This can lead to feelings of envy, jealousy, and inadequacy, resulting in depression. Additionally, social media can have a negative impact on self-esteem and body image and can make people feel isolated, further contributing to depression.
Our new found reluctance to boredom is distracting people from their environment and diminishing personal responsibility.
Our ancestors have had to overcome; resource scarcity, invading empires, plagues, highwaymen, savage wildlife, extreme climate changes, wildfires and floods. They did this since the dawn of human evolution using primal instinct and minimum resources.
After hurricane Dorian (2019), residents in Louisiana were left without power and basic living essentials. It took several weeks before sufficient aid was able to reach the cities. Fortunately, some were able to rely on the cultural skills they’d developed from living in a rural environment such as hunting, finding natural water sources and building improvised shelter.
How would a city like Los Angeles cope during a long-term power outage?