Things I’ve learned on social media

October 4, 2017

social-mediaThings I’ve learned on social media:

Everyone’s got an opinion.

Judgmental comments are a way of life for many.

More people than I thought lack filters.

There are a limitless number of exclamation marks.

Lots and lots of people post to seek attention.

Spelling is a lost art.

Some people have no shame.

It’s hard to believe any work gets done at all with the amount of time people spend on Facebook.

Workshops are the new pyramid scheme.

The common goal of online entrepreneurs seems to be to get rich.

Some people exert a purposeless amount of energy hurling insults.

There are an inordinate number of posts threatening to unfriend … fill in the blank: bigots, white supremacists, Bernie-bots…

And even more suggesting these people unfriend the poster, instead.

…….So, I’d love to know what you have learned on social media.

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40 comments on “Things I’ve learned on social media
  1. You can learn a lot from social media. Unfortunately, a lot of what you learn is pretty heinous. =(

  2. I’ve seen positive people on social media. The sad thing is that I have seen far more negative people out there. It seems that social media breeds hate. It’s a sad, sad thing.

  3. I’ve learned how to unfollow a lot of people. They are still my friends but I don’t like their ranting, or their beliefs, or their need to shove stuff in my face. I don’t miss their political and know-all posts on my timeline!

  4. I’ve learned that delete doesn’t mean disappear. Once it’s out there, someone saw it and can keep it alive.

  5. Catherine Sargent says:

    I have learned how not nice some people can be and that not everyone thinks we are all entitle to our own opinion. It is a sham that people have to act that way.

  6. What I’m seeing is how quick to react people are and this is dangerous when reacting quickly to news w/o taking time to gather facts. I’ve learned to avoid many “news” sites and some FB folks who aren’t being responsible about what they share.

    It’s getting worse as people, understandably, struggle to deal with their frustrations. And their sense of hopelessness.

  7. Theresa says:

    Sadly, this is spot on. People who would never dream of saying these words to someone’s face have no shame when it comes to voicing their opinion on social media.

  8. Julia says:

    I agree w all your observations. My issue with SM, as a blogger, though, (considering you can’t really promote adequately without it) is the inauthenticity of most SM relationships. I get so tired of the canned “praise hands” or “I need this in my life!!!!” comments from other bloggers meant to feign interest and in hopes of reciprocation. I really desire actual connections with like-minded people and while I try to get people talking via my blog it is a big lonely vacuous space so much of the time. What are your thoughts on this topic?

    • I think it’s hard. Most people do not reciprocate unless they’re in a group that requires it. I know, myself, that there are great blogs I’d like to follow daily but I just don’t have time. I’ve met a couple of people IRL through my blog but it’s really hard to connect in a meaningful way across the miles. Or rather, we do connect but it’s hard to keep a relationship going.

  9. I’ve learned that I can’t be 100% me. That’s because I’m very sarcastic (But I love everyone) and having 1000’s of “friends” means they all know you at different levels. I try to stay away from the topics you were taught not to talk about at work but it does get annoying to see the hate. You have hit the nail on the head!

  10. Dogvills says:

    Oh these are so true. What I learned in social media is that there are a lot of narcissists. I dislike seeing a gazillion selfies of one person just because she has a new hair clip. OMG. And yes, I found out from social media too that there are a lot of “lawyers” without a law degree and “politicians” not holding public office.

  11. Pam says:

    I have to agree on the workshops. I see a lot of people offering paid workshops telling people how they earn money online. But most of the money they earn is through workshops.

  12. Marcie W. says:

    I agree with so many of these points you’ve mentioned. For me, social media is both a blessing and a curse. I enjoy it best in small doses, with plenty of breaks in between.

  13. Yes, social media has learned me these lessons as well. My motto is, ‘just keep scrolling’!

  14. If you weigh in on something with an opinion about whatever is happening in the world, especially if it isn’t how someone (many someone’s) feel, you’ll likely be on the receiving end of the wrathful masses – if you stay quiet and opt out of any and all discussion pertaining to the matter, you are somehow to blame for the problem itself by choosing not to say anything . . . *sigh*

  15. Jen Temcio says:

    Ha ha ha…awesome article. I agree with you, especially the “how do people get any work done with the amount of time spent on Facebook”.

  16. Yep! That about sums it up. I remember when I was in college and first started using social media, and it was a place to post pictures of the weekend or ask for a missed assignment. It has turned into this black hole of garbage and too much personal info.

  17. brianne says:

    These are all so so true! And yes everyone has an opinion and it may not agree with yours 😉

  18. This is absolutely insightful. You said it so well. It also gave me an opportunity to self-reflect and think about my voice and message I am sending out to the world. I know when I read messages of hate and negativity my heart just hurts and I don’t understand how people can think and say those things.

  19. I could not agree with you more when you say people post for attention it is so darn true

  20. I am loving this entire list. I am guilty of the exclamation point thing. I love them far too much.

  21. Cindy Gordon says:

    I think we could be one in the same. The attention aspect you spoke of is my biggest pet peeve.

  22. I hate the judgmental attitudes of the many. So many people are keyboard warriors.

  23. Wendy Polisi says:

    I find it hard to not be a grammar guru. It makes me cringe!

  24. Cynthia says:

    I’ve learned to be sympathetic. I know people so lonely that their sole outlet is social media. I see them being upset one day and happy the next. And yes, everybody has an opinion and so am I, but I’ve also learned that in order to keep my “friends” I have to keep my opinions to myself!

  25. sonali jain says:

    Social media teaches us alot just like life. WE interact with ,many people, positive as well negative.

  26. kristin says:

    This is perfect!! I’ve learned online people can be very cruel.

  27. Cole Nemeth says:

    There is so much negativity in the air, and when I actually take time to read the conversations that go on it’s enough to make me want to cry! Even the most positive messages get so much hate spewed at them.

    At the same time, there’s also a lot of love and positivity. You just have to learn to ignore the bad, to not participate, and spread the love.

  28. dawn says:

    Spelling and grammar are long lost skills, it seems.The difference between your and you’re… the differences between their, there, and they’re… auto correct probably doesn’t help anyone’s cause either. haha!

  29. Luci says:

    It took me years to really figure out social media and there are times that I learn something new. But one thing that I learned is to not take social media so serious. If someone starts to rant about something just to turn the other cheek.

  30. Glenda says:

    I learn to block and unfriend because that get on my nerve.I also learn there are so many bot/fake accounts too.

  31. Brandi H says:

    This is a great list. You never know what you’ll come across on social media anymore.

  32. Candy Rachelle says:

    I am so guilty of overusing the exclamation mark! I think I use it to show excitement or how much I really like or feel about something.

  33. Dealman says:

    Just perfect. I’ve learned online people can be very cruel.

  34. I can understand but I also think social media has been a great vehicle to create community. And those of us that have families overseas allows us to keep in touch in real time.

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