IDEAL SOCIAL-MEDIA BEHAVIOR: FOCUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTARY

Recently, I have bumped into several posts on different social media platforms where the comment sections are literally on fire due to people expressing their diverse views on issue. Ideally, expressing a point of view on an issue should not result into a social media war, but the culture of intolerance towards other people’s opinion is very prevalent on today’s social media platforms. Upon a critical reflection on why things are the way they are, I discovered that these social media scuffle emanates from majorly two situations. One, MR A airs his personal view on an issue, B rudely disagrees with him, A feels offended by the uncouthly manner in which B has expressed disagreement, then a scuffle ensues! The second situation is when MR A expresses a ridiculous view, and so many people bash him for holding such a view that they consider reckless. This write-up addresses the need for making intelligent comments while contributing to issues addressed on social media. The second part of the write-up addresses the need for toleration in disagreeing with other people’s view. 

   Personally, I avoid contributing to certain issues because I cannot stand being perceived as being simple-minded, or slow-witted, or even silly. Hence, I avoid making contributions on issues when I lack an in-depth understanding of the issue or I have not thought critically about the issue. Many people are fond of making comments merely for the purpose of making comments (particularly just to show that they are intelligent). The reverse becomes the case when someone else disagree with your point of view, highlighting an unforgivable flaw in your line of thought. In many cases, the person who was corrected feels attacked and reacts by resorting to needless insults. It is therefore recommended that where you are not obliged to compulsorily make a comment on an issue, avoid the urge to make any comment at all rather than embarrass yourself with a ridiculous comment due to lack of understanding of the issue.   

Showing intelligence in how we air our views is very crucial because the putative view above people who give valid comments on issues is that they are generally intelligent and in most cases their views are validated and validation builds self-confidence. Deep down, you would agree with me that receiving validation from others actually boosts confidence. Although, others validating our points doesn't mean that the views are valid, but the fact that many people align with our view can be fallaciously relied upon as validity. This does not apply when you realize that your comment was actually illogical, most times you just feel dumb and stupid, and certainly such feeling is neither good for your self-esteem nor your mental health. Hence, the need to thoroughly examine your view through a rigorous critical thinking process. Critical thinking can be described as the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between the ideas. Many a time, it could require a bit of time because it involves observation, analysis, reflection, inference, evaluation and objectivity. However, it is worth it because it is far honorable to make a solution-providing comment late than make a silly comment timeously. 

The second phase of my view is directed at reactions to comments generally on social media. I have observed that people reluctantly compliment others for airing sound views, but people are speedily available to attack an unsound view. I personally advocate that people's opinions should be validated especially when we align ourselves with them for the merits of the views expressed rather than the relationship shared with the person expressing the view. This would encourage more intelligent comments. When we promote the culture that one's alignment with a view must be premised upon the soundness and validity of the view, we indirectly promote the culture of Critical thinking and gradually extinguish the culture of blindly aligning one’s self with a view based on relationship shared. The truth is that it often takes critical thinking to distill a valid view from an invalid one. Importantly, since critical thinking is to be done objectively—meaning without influence from personal feelings, opinions or biases, arguments/position/view focuses solely on factual information and validity of views expressed.

While it is essential to advocate for critical thinking in social media commentary, it is fundamentally essential to also promote the culture of constructive criticism as well as the ability to dissent from a view politely without making the other party feel less. Constructive criticism must however be distinguished from the later as they are two different things. Constructive criticism is a helpful way of giving feedback that provides specific, actionable suggestions. Rather than providing general advice, constructive criticism gives specific recommendations on how to make positive improvements. Constructive Criticism is clear, to the point and practicable. On the other hand, dissenting politely from a view is more of an ability to identify the flaws of another argument without necessarily having a solution to proffer. Constructive criticism is arguably desirable than the later, but it doesn't rule out the need for the later. The later simply shows that "the solution is not solution enough" or "there's in fact more thinking you need to do”. 

Another important issue to address is the mindset that one unintelligent comment means that the maker of such comment is convincingly daft. The reality is that no matter how intelligent someone is, no one thinks critically all the time. An understanding that NO MAN IS A MONOPOLY OF GOOD IDEAS/ GOOD VIEWS! Is crucial in maintain toleration in social-media relations. Sometimes, our views are valid but inchoate, sometimes some issues are not envisaged, sometimes some views are the foundation to arrive at the correct view, and sometimes, the most intelligent person’s view is influenced by emotions. The intelligence of a person should not be downplayed by one wrong view. While is very honorable to acknowledge the flaws in one’s view when corrected, it is in fact more respectable drawing one’s attention to the flaw without any derogatory remarks. For instance you could appreciate the view first and politely highlight the issue as an improvement on the idea rather than as a flaw (E.G “this is a very nice position, however, it could be better if so and so is done.”) 

There is a need to embrace the right social media behavior to make social media a less toxic place.