I used to think that I had a few answers to life’s questions, but not anymore.  Social media has cured me of that delusion.  At long last I can shed the shackles of ignorance and naivete.

With this thought in mind, I state herein and confess, (and I have stated in previous narratives), my ignorance and my inherent inability to understand the human condition beyond my personal perceptions.

To start, here is a quote by Joseph Conrad, a Polish-British writer regarded as one of the greatest novelists to write in the English language;  “My task which I am trying to achieve is, by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to make you feel – it is, before all, to make you see.  That – and no more, and it is everything. If I succeed, you shall find there according to your desserts: encouragement, consolation, fear, charm – all you demand; and, perhaps, also that glimpse of truth for which you have forgotten to ask.”

I think this quote provides some insight behind the motivation for this effort to write my thoughts about my social media perceptions.

I find it excruciatingly difficult to write this treatise because I do, in fact, sincerely care about what others think.  And, I do honestly feel insulted and become incredulous when reading ignorant posts by others.  However, none of that matters because, as I stated in the opening sentence, I am resigned to the fact that perhaps I have been delusional and naïve in thinking that all people in my life are capable of being compassionate, kind, generous, understanding, forgiving, enlightened, joyous, loving, and are somehow virtuous in word and deed. But if the posts I have read since I have joined social media are an indication of reality, my hopes and wishes of an enlightened consciousness of all humanity are simply fanciful dreams. At long last, I have been cured of my simple utopian hopes.

Before you entertain thoughts of incredulity and defensiveness, please understand that my purpose for having a “presence” on social media is because I think that I have a genuine interest in the lives of the people who have shared some moment in time and place with me.

As I follow various threads of thoughts/comments regarding various subjects, I marvel that there is this unique personal understanding and perception that each of us has developed despite the commonality we all share in being a part of this human existence.  Because of our individual acuity, I find it fascinating that some of us tend to try to explain our complex view of reality by posting on timelines some catchy phrase or meme.  And even more astonishing to me is that at one point I had this hope that perhaps the idea of providing heartfelt commentary backed by truthful factual data would somehow explain some of the complex and emotionally wrenching problems of the human condition.  Again, I confess that I had this delusional idea that verifiable facts would somehow counter the short catchy phrases of incomplete data that provides a miniscule fraction of facts related to the complexity of life as we know it.  I am resigned to the simple fact that I will never understand why posting ignorant, ill-conceived, prejudiced remarks that are proven misconceptions can somehow contribute to a dialogue for solving political and life issues.

It seems to me that there is this clambering competition for space on a timeline to make a point or to prove a theory.  Unfortunately this rush to proclaim a thought or to defend a position sometimes amounts to simple insults and the dismissal of another person’s legitimate concern or factual analysis.  Rather than a debate of facts, reasoning, an exchange of personal insights, an attempt at respectful empathy, or an acknowledgement of respectful differences, exchanges on timelines instead become a series of insults that incites anger, vitriol, insults and ill spoken falsehoods.

Many of the memes and catchy phrases posted on timelines are easily proved to be misleading and even verifiably false, yet I continually see them posted.  Perhaps there is this ill begotten hope that somehow it is an answer or even a clue to the ultimate solution of the societal, political, cultural, religious, or personal life problems we face as human beings.  I even imagine, (for I have tried it), that some of these popular phrases are posted with the thought that somehow it will convince others to see the light and have that eureka moment of discovery.  Even now as I write this, I am guilty of the delusion that this combination of words will alter a point of view and thereby others with dissimilar viewpoints will amend their thinking and abandon their personal prejudices and ignorance and comprehend my version of the story.

Because of the harshness of some posts, some people on the social media have abandoned their space on the forum because of the divisiveness it presents.  And I am truly sorry that people felt the need to leave because I truly think that it has value in that it keeps us connected.

Community has great value for me.  I hereby will attempt to refrain from posting any such meme or phrase of limited factual data. I am no longer interested in trying to convince you to change and instead I hope to seek ways to enhance the community to which I belong and embrace our common condition rather than augment our differences.  .

Despite all the failings of the human condition, I refuse to abandon social medium.  I am much more interested in staying connected to the many people who I adore and love.  I like to think that I truly have an interest in the wellbeing of the people in my friend list and I will not be deterred from remaining connected to each individual despite some of the angst that stirs within my mind, heart and soul when words are posted that I do not understand, I do not agree with, or that I inherently know are untrue and hurtful.

I am not compelled to unfriend anyone. I am more interested in knowing how you are doing in your life.  I am interested in your personal successes, your moments of joy, and your moments of sadness.  For the great privilege of having you as a friend, I am willing to read some of the posts unrelated to your personal endeavors.  And I may even read your posts related to politics and religion, but I hope you will respect my feelings if I do not agree with what is posted.  I also hope that you will understand that I may feel the sting of your disregard for kindness, empathy, and consideration of another person’s legitimate point of view.  In addition, I most likely will not cut and paste, pass along or share some of the “chain letter” type posts.

Despite my perceived trespasses and lack of decorum, I remain forever hopeful that the connection of sharing a point in time, a common experience, family DNA, or the same heartfelt desire to be a better person will keep us connected.  The core of this narrative is that I think we have more in common as people than differences that would drive us apart.

I invite you to disregard this narrative, to unfriend me, to hurl your insults my way; I am sure they will hurt and I will be greatly disappointed in my inability to understand why such things have come to pass.  I know that my skin is too thin, my reasoning flawed, and my desire to avoid conflict too strong to confront many of the hurtful slurs hurled on these timelines.

This is not a farewell narrative, but instead it is a declaration of embracing our humanity in the hope that each of us will share an enlightened moment either here or somewhere in the universe of connectedness.  I hereby proclaim that I am cured of the delusional utopian ideal that thoughtful and meaningful dialogue about conflicting ideas can be engaged on social media.

I hope you have a delightful experience today and every day henceforth.