INTERNET CRAZINESS

Have people lost their collective MFing minds? I am constantly amazed by the racist, sexist, homophobic, violent, criminal or just plain insensitive things people in the public eye or minimally with jobs say on social media.

Before starting “Diary Of A Mad Mind” I had avoided social media like it was Ebola on steroids. I have always been old school and fiercely private, in part, well aware of the politically incorrect nature of my train of thoughts.

I make an exception to the youth who simply do not know any better. I am speaking of those who have only grown up with social media and cell phones as means of communicating and even dating. The things they do and share on social media are no less silly but at least they minimally have an excuse. The ability and need to communicate in a public forum is all some of them have ever known.

But, for the people who do, or should I say should know better, I do not understand what some of you are thinking. I am beyond privileged in having the ability to work for myself. However, even I am aware of the potential repercussions of sharing too much or simply considered offensive materials in public forums. Many jobs have specific code of conduct policies, but even for those that do not, how is anyone still unaware of the faux pas #stupidity of others who have let their twitter fingers get them canned or publicly ridiculed for the dumbness they have felt the need to share with the world.

I do not presently have many followers, yet I still get the concept that a single tweet has the capacity to be seen by the world. It may not, but I understand it can. If I want to go on my most politically incorrect rants I simply do what any sane person does and do it from the sanctity of my home or on the phone to like-minded degenerates who even if they do not share my viewpoint, I know they will not necessarily be shocked or offended.

I do not interact with individuals who normally video or audio record our conversations so I know my home is a sanctuary for offensive thoughts and speech. The Internet represents the equivalent of giving a speech in front of hundreds of people. Sometimes you may even have a good idea of your audiences’ demographic, but always assume you are being recorded in that speech and someone may be a reporter with motives and an agenda you are unsure of. “What you say can and will be used against you”.

I am unsure why in society everyone feels the need to tweet what they are thinking, but I do understand that is the nature of the society we live in. That said, people need to understand and set parameters to how and when they share on social media.

We do not text and drive because we now have better understandings of the danger the act entails. From experience, both our own and others we have also learned of the dangers of texting while drunk. It is never a good look. Well, tweeting and other social media sharing need to be handled with a similar awareness. Drunk tweeting=never. Additionally, one should never share on social media in an emotional state and by emotion I mean tweets of feeling or personal thoughts should never take place without a minimum of a five minute buffer from time of writing it to time to send.

There should be a required cooling off period. Let whatever emotions that precipitated the twitter fingers to engage settle before actually sending out the information. Walk away. Reread it. After five or more minutes and most importantly the ability to hopefully have thought more clearly, then only then should you send out the information to the world.

Stupidity is an epidemic that has run rampant and seems to be spreading. This is not a full proof plan to stop the virus, but it may just save you. Think before you tweet. Much can be misunderstood and misinterpreted within 140 characters, but at least give yourself an opportunity to send out something that you feel will not get you publicly scorned or fired.

#thinkbeforeyoutweet, #twitter #social media

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