As a rule I don't tend to post many articles or memes on subjects of politics or social justice. Sometimes I think that because I don't, I must be a person cowering in the corner afraid to say anything controversial. Yet this is a gut reaction to seeing other friends who post 20 articles a day and never leave any doubt as to where they stand on anything.
Many years ago, as a good Pentecostal child, I thought that I wasn't courageous for Jesus because I didn't stand in parks yelling at people and passing out tracts, politely pointing out who was and was not going to hell. Over the years I learned that most people think that park yellers are crazy and not particularly effective in their um, craft. Yet I remained somewhat conflicted. This conflict is mostly because I am a pisces and we are pretty much always conflicted about everything. Yet the good side of that, is that we easily see issues from multiple angles and often act as a bridge between dogmatic individuals, who love to readily break everything and everyone down into exactly 2 always opposing camps. So yeah, it kind of sucks to be a pisces, but then it's cool and then it sucks again.
So while I continue to chase my fish tail, let me offer a few reasons as to why I personally, as a proud piscean (sort of), don't (normally) post (many) articles and memes on social media (facebook- I'm too old for Instagram).
1. I prefer to blog (when I have the time and am between shows on Netflix) for a variety of reasons. A blog allows for deeper dissection of issues. Short blurbs such as status updates do not support any sort of analysis. When I hear another persons opinion on things, I don't just want to know what they are thinking. Chances are, because people are often predictable, I can already pre-determine what opinion almost everyone I know has on any given issue. What I want to know is how someone came to an opinion. What are the supporting arguments for taking a certain position? What personal experiences have led to the formation of a certain opinion? And ultimately, can a given argument stand up to logical scrutiny? I, for one, like to make sure that I know what I am talking about.
2. I prefer action to opinion. I know too many people who espouse ignorant and illogical views, yet do very kind things for others. I also know people who are always first in line to point out injustice, yet take an armchair view when it actually comes to doing anything for anyone else. I tend to think that I am more effective when I operate within my sphere of influence. Rather than casting a wide everybody net, to reach those who probably aren't listening, and are unlikely to change their mind anyway.
3. I don't think it is necessarily an effective tool for bringing about social change. I have many Facebook friends who are notorious for controversial posts and their ensuing arguments. Each time it is the same people taking the same predictable positions, often in contrast to the other same people who always take the opposite position. The rest of us, after awhile, just scroll past to see what people are having for dinner and to look at pictures of cats, and/or children. I am also not all that convinced that my opinion matters much to many people. Nor am I convinced that I have any more power to effect change than anyone else that I know.
However, I have a great many friends who would disagree, or who really just like to argue. I don't. At this point in my life I am perfectly content with being a person who doesn't enjoy arguing. If you, among the 11 people that read my blog, do enjoy arguing, do you. I will sit in my own little corner of the world doing what I can, taking respite in Netflix when the daily reality of life becomes to much to bear.
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