Journalism and social media are in the gutters.
Journalism and social media are in the gutters. Never before have I seen such a blatant disregard for factual news. A play on words, cherry-picked headlines and misinterpreted quotes.
And that's just the news we choose to consume.
What about the nuggets of information that's drip-fed to us like hamsters in a cage, when we are consumed with our “so-called” personal pages on the likes of Facebook. A platform that has simply become a means to manipulate the way you think. A constant overload of information with a political agenda that's clear to see. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn are all capable of influencing your stance and view on politics, religion and social allegiances.
And let's not forget we are seeing what FACEBOOK wants us to see, not what we actually want to see.
Documentaries like the Social Dilemma outlines how are decision making can be altered using endorphin-releasing nuggets of information based on the profile they have built of us.
We have the world at our fingertips. Technology and social media allow us to build new businesses, communicate to the masses, build communities and brands, all this for next to nothing. There's absolutely nothing stopping each and every one of us from creating something amazing. A lifestyle and career designed by us, allowing us to do whatever the fuck we want.
It's freedom in the highest form.
And yet somehow these platforms and technologies are being used to manipulate us. And the worrying thing is, we’re letting them.
In the last few days, I have been following the US Presidential race between Trump and Biden. Whatever your political stance, that's your call. But what is worrying is the amount of fake news and photoshopped headlines circulating on both social and mainstream media. Stirring anger, creating resentment and adding fuel to an already raging fire.
Then you have the whole COVID conspiracy theorists which just seem to make up whatever the fuck they like.
I would be lying if I said, I wasn't somewhat worried about the impact modern-day media is having on our nation. I feel it has ignited and fuelled a lot of the violence and protests with the BLM (Black Lives Matter) movement, not to mention the anti-lockdown demonstrations taking place.
Then we have the small issue of social media and the impact it has on our mental health. At a time when we enter the second national lockdown.
As we entered the last lockdown I came off all social media for three months, and it was a total game-changer. Give it a try.
AND FINALLY
Did I mention I host the Male Mastery podcast show? Personal Development without the bullshit.