Gratitude #2: Social Media

Gratitude #2: Social Media

I overshot Tuesday, so I’m going to do two posts today. :)

Today’s....I mean, Tuesday’s gratitude post: I am grateful for social media.

Critics ballyhoo social media for its many negative impacts, and certainly there is research that proves a causal link between social media use and diminished quality of life. I’m certainly not here to speak against that. I’ve had too many late nights scrolling through my Facebook feed at 3 am yet again in some digital scramble to escape pain and responsibility to try and argue against its negative potential.

But I would also argue that social media’s positive qualities are often overlooked, and sorely underutilized. The absurdity of human connection is in its absolute necessity for optimal functioning, simultaneous to its potential for great harm...all things we call sins, from jealousy to envy to sexual exploitation to rumor-mongering to posing and posturing for power, resources, and status, all play out in the realm of the human connection....in other words, the social. Knowing that the word “media” derives from words that indicate a connecting influence between various elements, I see “social media” as merely “connection to connection,” an amplification rather than an invention. The ugly sins of social media were in force long before it ever came into existence...it merely serves to put them into closer focus, yes yes I know the point of this post is gratitude not philosophical meanderings. I got it, I got it.

But nonetheless, social media (like any tool) will respond to the intention of the user and the meaning that we as agents make of it. The sharper and stronger our intention, the more it will respond, and the greater meaning it will have.

And boy, am I grateful for the meaning social media allows me to connect to. There is so much I have in my life as a result of this beautiful and marvelous tool.

The following are just a sampling of reasons for which I am intensely grateful for the connection afforded by social media:

1) Connection to insight and perspective

I’ve had many a prayer answered by insightful comments and posts on Facebook. All of us possess at least some degree of insight. Certainly, I won’t pretend to believe that Facebook would serve as an institution of higher learning; there are some insights that will not come without sustained study under paid tutelage.

But again, “social” media allows for many “social” insights. I’ve intentionally (I say that word a lot, you should too...intentionally, of course) intentionally (heh) chosen to follow groups and individuals who possess significant insight, and share it with an intention to better others. I follow the apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, various thoughtful magazines and newspapers (The Atlantic is my personal favorite) support groups for LGBT latter-day Saints, groups dedicated to sharing classical music or discussing politics and philosophy, and several mentoring groups. All of these give me opportunity to engage with a variety of perspectives, and find their insights often change my way of thinking.

I also try very intentionally to follow a variety of political sites. Ideological bubbles are a real thing, and I am in constant danger of falling into one. I’ve set my Facebook up so it exposes me to the viewpoints of various people. Through that I also find that Facebook facilitates opportunities for me to practice principles of civility and respect. I find it very difficult to speak my honest perspective with feeling, without infringing on others. Facebook is a marvelous opportunity for me to understand how to communicate with political opponents without losing my marbles.

2) Connection to mentorship

Preston and Justin, this is a shoutout to you specifically. Several of the groups I belong to afford opportunities for life improvement and mentorship I would not find elsewhere. These men and women mean so much to me for their imperfect but honest efforts to help others improve. My investment in these groups is well worth the time.

3) Connection to events

This one is more practical. There are many events I wouldn’t’ve attended without Facebook dropping in with a friendly hello to remind me. The ease and practicality of Facebook’s event tools also helps me kick against the tendency to bubble all my online activity into online spaces. Concerts, wedding receptions and other events are marvelous places to experience very positive connection with others, and oftentimes I don’t know about them except through social media.

For these and many other reasons I am deeply grateful for social media.