A saying of online life goes, “Every day, the internet picks a hero and a villain, and you hope that neither one is you”. Social media, an envisaged tool created to bring communities and different types of people together, has instead torn us apart. Instead of harmony, it brings contention and oppression.
Social media was once praised for its history of supporting and showcasing individual distinctiveness, upholding individuality, and for its boundless freedom of expression. Now, it has forgone inclusion. Now, it is criticized for limiting expression and thought that does not fit within the view of the majority, and pressuring people with fear. As New York Times author David Brooks says, “ Many people carefully guard their words, afraid they might transgress one of the norms that have come into existence.”. How do we stand against this accepted oppression, if we are unable to even speak our own thoughts without fear of reproach?
The answer lies within. It is up to us to stand firm in our opinions and beliefs, and to not sway with the shifting judgments of the crowd. For instance, have you ever felt condemned, ignored, or attacked after expressing or questioning a seemingly undefined group or cause? It is then possible that you might have felt the wrath of social media’s shame culture. For example, if someone were to voice their support for the shut down of the musical app “Tik Tok” on twitter, they would most likely be mocked, ignored, criticized, and/or cyber-bullied, because most of the population enjoys this app. Another term for this is “cancelled”, or “cancel culture”. It is where a person is disregarded or condemned after expressing an unpopular or opposing view. This can be deemed as a form of shame culture, in that it is ostracizing and punishing people in order to rigidly enforce the acceptance of the majority’s opinion. New York Times Author David Brooks eloquently and concisely describes this problem, and offers an affective solution, which is: to decide for yourself, to reclaim your mind. We must make this claim on our minds, because striving to become like everyone else will inevitably lead to pain and/ or confusion. Conforming will just delay the inevitable existential crisis that comes to all who do not know who they are.
Inside all of us is the intrinsic human need to relate , to be understood. Sometimes we will do whatever it takes to do just that. Even if it means forgoing our beliefs, or verbally abusing others for the praise of a majority. In doing this, we lose sight of our inner compass, and become absorbed into the crowd to avoid exclusion. To avoid being a follower, you must take your life into your own hands, and decide. You must stand on ideas of your own, and stick to them. Be understanding, but unwavering. Be kind, but firm in your beliefs. And decide: whose life are you really living? Avoid conformity by setting your own course, considering compassionate action, and choosing individuality.