Final

I read a study once that questioned why animal posts are the most likely to go viral. This study claimed that it actually isn't about the animals at all, instead, these posts show human compassion and empathy at its best. Perhaps in a digital world full of hate and shame, animal videos may be our only semblance of human empathy and compassion. 

Let me preface my rant by explaining until recent years, information was exchanged through mass media, not necessarily in a two-way exchange. There were senders and receivers with the receivers giving little to no feedback to the senders. Since the dawn of the internet age (next blockbuster title?) receivers could start giving feedback. Now, content creators such as "news" organizations, blogs, and various entertainment site are creating things purely for the sake of clicks, comments, and shares. Whether positive or negative, those clicks comments and shares equal advertising dollars. 

We are becoming more desensitized through a world of information. One where we are able to shamelessly read or watch other people's embarrassment without feeling accountable. We even have the ability to attack and comment without seeing the damage we are causing, all while we are the targets of advertising. Since people often view their world through a screen they don't feel their words have any consequences, they don't realize they are talking to/about a real person. We buy into a paradigm of negativity in order to feel better about ourselves for a mere second before buying something. Online shaming is ever growing and uncontained, and the sad fact is we are unconsciously supporting this shame with every click.

I believe over time compassion can displace shame. Monica talks about when culture values shift behaviors shift as well. I'm reminded of being a child and having no clue what recycling was, now its a part of my nature, something I value so much that I don't even have to give it a second thought. This is a result of a shift in my values. Once we value kindness and goodness over shame and humiliation the embarrassment will end and be replaced with positivity. We need to remind ourselves of our humanity. We need to realize that everyone makes mistakes and it's not our place to view, judge or be unkind.

What am I prepared to do? First and foremost, I choose to vote with my clicks. Shame based content creators can never receive any of my advertising dollars if I choose not to participate. Second,  I always strive to promote positivity, I'm not really a social media share-er in the sense that I don't like posting third party content, maybe it's time to start if those stories value positivity and kindness. Third, I need to start commenting more. Monica said even one person showing compassion made a difference. I need to not only give individuals a thumbs up or a little heart but let them know they are loved and they have worth. The little things we choose to do will become habitual and have the capability of causing a cultural shift, even if its a small shit just among our friends. I truly believe kindness breeds more kindness and we all have the capability to combat the negativity online.