Outrage Porn: The New Addiction We Can’t Shake

All right, folks, gather 'round. It’s time for a real talk about this sneaky epidemic that’s hijacked our social media feeds: "outrage porn." And no, this isn’t some new genre in the dark corners of the internet. I’m talking about our unhealthy addiction to perpetual outrage.

Now, some of y'all-I'm including myself "y'all"- might be too young to remember the days when mornings were about sipping coffee and reading the newspaper. Heck, some of us didn’t even care about the news back then unless it was sports scores or The Boondocks comic strips. But now? It’s more like, "Hold up, let me check what I’m supposed to be fake mad about today." We’ve replaced our morning coffee with a shot of rage espresso and a side of indignation muffin.

Yes, we’ve turned into outrage junkies, my friends. Instead of getting our kicks from uplifting or educational content, we’re diving headfirst into the digital cesspool of anger and offense. One minute it’s folks falsely arguing that LeBron ain’t the GOAT—seriously, put some respect on his name—the next, it's the snowflakes promoting Trump or the sheeple idolizing Biden. And don’t even get me started on all these newfound WNBA fans acting like they’ve been courtside for years, debating whether Caitlin Clark should be the face of the league. It’s like living in a never-ending episode of "Breaking Bad," but instead of cooking meth, we’re cooking up outrage. And just like Walter White, we’re breaking bad... real bad.

Why? Because our brains love this stuff. It’s stimulating. It’s addictive. It gives us that sweet, sweet dopamine hit when we find something that confirms our worldview or lets us feel morally superior. But remember what Biggie said: "Mo' outrage, mo' problems." Okay, he didn’t say that exactly, but you get the idea.

Is it any wonder we’re more divided than the "Game of Thrones" fanbase after that finale? (And yes, I’m still outraged about that ending). But seriously, is all this outrage making us any better? Are we changing anything, or are we just shouting into the void, hoping someone will shout back in agreement?

Here’s a radical thought: How about we step back and breathe? Let’s save our outrage for the stuff that truly matters, not just whatever the algorithm serves us on a silver platter. Let’s channel that energy into something productive, something that actually makes a difference.

So next time you feel that surge of indignation, ask yourself: Is this worth my energy? Is this worth the outrage? If it is, fight the good fight. But if it’s just another distraction, leave it in the digital dumpster fire and move on to something meaningful.

Stay woke, but don’t stay [fake] mad, my friends. Peace and love. ???