It's really such a bummer what social networking sites have turned into. Made for the purpose of useful connection and sharing, tools like Facebook and Instagram have turned into a main means of judgement for a lot of people.
It's true that one makes a choice to
publicly share information or photos about their daily life but at what point do we draw the line to what extent people can judge you on merely that?
I'm not explaining this well so here's a "for instance":
When Instagram first came out my mom introduced me to it as primarily a photo editing tool. I found a lot of joy in being able to capture special moments or highlights of my day, making them look artistic and feeling as though I could actually consider myself as having somewhat of a photographers eye.
Once it started gaining popularity many people began to use it as primarily a photo sharing tool of their personal lives, which is perfectly fine, just not my cup of tea for the app. However, I came across a text document posted on Instagram today essentially stating that everyone on Instagram merely uses it as a tool to prove to others that you are happy and have an awesome life when really nobody cares.
I was disappointed in that moment of what such a great tool has turned into. What had once brought some highlights to my day I am now considering deleting entirely. Where I know that may be a bit extreme and I can just choose to follow or not follow whom ever I please, I am bummed at the sentiment.
Why must we always be so quick to judge, generalize and criticize based on something so small as a picture post?
We are all free to have the opinions that we have, but posting them for the world to see to prove a point about how above it all you are isn't getting you anywhere.
Use the tools. Enjoy them. Post what you want to post and let people be the judge of their own motives.
The best way to show your beliefs is not to constantly post them for the world to see, but to simply believe them.
As I saying I once made up in my younger years,
"Actions speak louder than words."
;)
Go live it people.
So here's my thought about people's "comments"... all of them tell you something about the commenter ... not about what is being commented upon. Take, for instance, the person you mentioned who said Instagram was "a tool to prove to others that you are happy and have an awesome life when really nobody cares." The commenter is the one who "doesn't care." How can he/she speak for others? How could that person possibly know who or who doesn't care? Except, of course, from personal experience.
ReplyDeleteIt's like the experiences I've been having as I drive the "art car" (see my blog entry "Riding in Style") ... it's NOT about the car!
And this post is about ME ... not about you, not about social media. It's just one person's viewpoint ... MINE!