Social Media By Linda Stowe
What is the purpose of entertainment? Google says we seek entertainment primarily as a means of stress relief. I think most people think of entertainment as a form of engagement. It can be passive like watching TV, attending sporting events, or even going to see the kids in a school talent revue. Or it can be more active like reading, spending time on a favorite hobby, or being with friends. Music, nature. and pets are also good options for stress relief.
However, in recent months a new avenue of stress relief has begun to emerge – non-engagement. People have stopped paying attention to the news, certain social media, or any forum that presents the kind of content that can incur distress over current events.
As a long-time news junkie, I can understand how they feel. Many days I can feel the tension, frustration, and despair that comes with following the news. I have tried to cut down on my news consumption, but it is challenging because it is everywhere and it is nonstop. Last night I read a post from Michelle, a friend in Michigan who is stepping away from social media, but her rationale had a different spin. Michelle is choosing not to give her attention to Trump and his minions because attention is what they seek most. She may have a point. A couple of weeks ago the NYT’s Ezra Klein had a very thought-provoking discussion with MSNBC’s Chris Hayes on the role of attention in politics today. Hayes just published a new book, The Sirens’ Call: How Attention Became the World’s Most Endangered Resource. It’s a lot to think about.
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Polly here.
What a great bit of writing, here, once again.
Non-engagement. In some ways, I have been doing this as well. Not long ago, I stayed very much on top of the news. I used to watch the CBS Morning Show every morning as I tool around the kitchen, making breakfast, cleaning up, and other things. Now, the show is still on my television, but the volume is off. If there is a piece that might interest me, I turn it up.
Anyway. Trump, and everyone else in the “influencer” world, seek attention. It is the name of the game. The more attention, the more the money comes in. But as noble as Michelle might be in her efforts, the odds are against her. I feel that Trump has created a great divide by telling people that it is okay to hate their fellow Americans. For that matter, any human being anywhere. We face a long, hard struggle against this. I hope each one of us can do our part by making little bits of goodness, kindness, and love, everywhere we go.
We don’t have to like or agree with everyone. We just need to be true to the goodness in our hearts.
