Social media sharing is a big thing nowadays.
People share posts, photos, videos, and almost everything.
I also used to be one such social media-sharing person, but then it got way too much—too annoying, too much time-wasting, and too meaningless for me.
Guess what I did?
I started using most of my social media accounts when I needed them, (which means once in a while). I no longer feel that social media and “sharing” are worth my time. Why do I feel that way?
Let me give you my point of view.
Imagine participating in a TV reality show:
The show producers have provided you with everything you need for survival: food, clothing, comfortable accommodation, and top-notch living conditions, with just one rule:
You’re supposed to live in an isolated room. The room doesn’t have any windows. Not even a keyhole. You cannot talk to anyone. You cannot see anyone. In other words, you cannot have any human interaction whatsoever.
How long do you think you will be able to bear it? Not for long, right?
To be able to connect with fellow human beings is a desire as deep as food, clothing, shelter, recreation, and sex. In fact, you can sometimes stay fine without food, but if there’s no one around to talk to and share your feelings, life gets unbearable.
In fact, isolation equals punishment. That’s why people fear prisons.
Prisons Are Based on “Isolation”
It doesn’t matter what fancy names we give them—penitentiaries, correction facilities, or rehabilitation centers; prisons work on the concept of keeping people isolated.
The formula is simple:
Snatch away people’s liberty to connect with other humans. Since we all crave relationships, friendships, and connectedness, isolation takes a toll on the mind because it denies you the freedom to connect with the people of your choice.
So, that’s that.
Now, let me take you to the countryside for a moment.
While working in fields, people sometimes hum or sing together. And also, in the evenings, they chat over a cup of tea or a “hookah.” It’s their way of unwinding and relaxing.
Also, take any club, park, or a public place, for example. They are all based on the exact opposite of isolation: connection. And you know what? The way we “connect” has changed a lot over time.
In the older days, the narrative was local because people had little to no idea what was happening in the distant corners of the world.
Then came the internet, and it flipped our world over.
The Internet Changed Everything
The worldwide web was the first step towards connecting the whole world at the same time. In fact, it was a major revolution.
People were still getting used to staying connected to the world from their homes when social media was introduced. And guess what? It revolutionized the way we share our feelings. The way we make our presence felt, and also, the way we socialize.
Today, on social media, you can share how you feel about a particular issue. You can debate, you can raise your voice, or show your concern on a particular topic. Social media did pretty much what it was supposed to do: Encourage people to socialize.
And then…
Something unexpected happened: people started expecting everyone to be active on social media, which was kind of silly (and still is).
The Tyranny of Social Media
Now, just because most people socialize doesn’t mean you also have to do the same.
(Individuality, anyone?)
But the peer pressure is there. I know because I feel it almost every single day. Here are some nuggets from my day-to-day interactions with people:
“What? You don’t Chat on WhatsApp? Are you serious?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t check your Facebook account daily.
“Are you kidding me? You’re a professional, and you’re not on LinkedIn. Dude, what’s wrong with you?”
Don’t know brother, maybe I am sane, and you’re not (just kidding, just kidding). 😉
The Futility of Social Media
Imagine:
A conversation between you and your best friend over WhatsApp. You’re speaking into a microphone, and so is your friend on the other end. In essence, two voices are traveling via satellites.
Now, hold on for a moment. And think:
What’s human about it?
Probably nothing!
You cannot experience a person over the phone, for god’s sake (even if you see the face via video calling).
My point?
Nothing Can Replace Face-to-Face Human Interaction
No technology can make face-to-face human interactions obsolete, no matter how sophisticated a technology gets.
Does that mean I don’t own a phone? Or I don’t “use” WhatsApp? Whoa! Don’t get too far. I do.
But I use my phone for information exchange only (well, most of the time) because I prefer to meet my friends in person for a face-to-face talk over a cup of tea or coffee or a bowl of steaming hot soup or a glass of chilled mango shake or a bowl of spicy Hakka noodles. Or whatever. (God! That last sentence was way too long, don’t you think? 🙂 )
Here’s the thing:
I like looking into people’s eyes, I like watching them smile and make faces, and… you get the idea.
You can say that I like to socialize in totality.
Sure, meeting people face-to-face has its own limitations. For instance, the other person might not be available when you have time. Social media, on the other hand, has no such boundaries. It’s available 24×7, 365 days a year.
But, here’s the bad news:
Having something available 24 hours a day has its dangers. When you have something at your fingertips, you take it for granted. And that’s exactly what happened.
People take social media and so-called sharing for granted. And to be honest, the hustle-bustle you witness on social media is not sharing in the real sense. Because “real” sharing is never passive.
Sharing is An Active Process
Now, hear me out for a moment.
What was the last thing you shared on social media? Was it even yours? Did you create that? Or did you share something somebody shared on your timeline?
My point?
If you really want to share, you need to create something first—something you can say was yours. For example:
- You like funny videos? Why not shoot some by yourself?
- Are you in love with inspiring quotes? How about coming up with a few?
- Do you go mad over romantic poetry? Why not create some love poems by yourself?
“Forwarding” is Not Creativity
The whole point of sharing is to create something worthwhile. And guess what? If you don’t have something valuable to offer, then sharing (forwarding) is just a pastime.
Let me explain. (Here comes a silly analogy because I am not intelligent enough to come up with a smart one). 😉
Imagine two trees side by side in a forest. A mango tree and an orange tree.
One day a weary and hungry traveler rested under the mango tree.
The traveler was hungry and wanted to eat mangoes, but the mango tree wasn’t interested in producing any. So he asked his friend—the orange tree for some oranges and passed them on to the traveler. Indeed, the traveler enjoyed the fresh, tangy fruits, gave thanks to the mango tree, and went about his day. Seeing that, the mango tree became joyous. But deep down, he knew that he had nothing to do with that joy. In fact, the orange tree’s the one that should get all the credit.
Instead of being just happy, the mango tree could have been delighted if it could produce some mangoes. It doesn’t matter if they were sweet or sour, small or big, juicy or dry, or whatever.
I know. I know. It’s not the best analogy there is, but you got my point.
The same is true for humans. Instead of regurgitating other people’s stuff, why not create your own? It doesn’t matter what but create something. This. That. Anything.
Is Sharing “Pics” On Social Media Not Creative?
“But I do create my own photos. Selfies, you know?” you protest.
Well, sorry to disappoint you but taking photos with your phone and sharing them online is not creativity. In fact, it has nothing to do with being creative at all.
Between, have you ever thought about why you share so many photos online? I know you’ll hate me for revealing it, but it’s a sacrifice I am willing to make. So, ahem. Here you go:
Because deep inside, you suspect you’re not good enough.
Now, now, now. Don’t be angry. Just wait a minute.
Think about it: Why do you upload your pics online, so many of them anyway? So people could comment on them, right? And say what? That you were looking so pretty in that pink dress?
Hate me if you want, but it seems that even you are unsure if you’re beautiful, and that’s why you need people to validate you.
The funny part?
Even the people you share your photos with crave validation from others. It’s a two-way street: “You comment on my picture. And I’ll comment on yours. Okie, dokie?”
(Read: “You scratch mine, and I’ll scratch yours.” I meant “Back.” What were you thinking? Oh, you dirty mind!) 🙂
Anyway.
If you genuinely want to feel more beautiful, then do something about it. Learn to love yourself, for instance. Because nobody else can do it for you.
Your Life is a Private Thing. How About Keeping It That Way?
What you do with your life is none of my business; it’s yours.
I almost always fail to understand:
- Why would you upload online the pictures of your Saturday afternoon mall trip?
- Must your friends know where did you go for dinner last night? Like really?
- Why do you feel the need to share useful “life hacks” that are nothing but gimmicks, anyway?
- If you enjoyed a movie with your wife, or, ahem, whoever, it’s between you and her. Why would you upload pictures of you two munching on popcorn or sipping Coca-Cola?
- What are you, a spy drone—photographing your life and uploading the pictures to your bosses sitting on your Facebook timeline?
“Oh, so you’re a privacy freak!”
Well, call me whatever, but my philosophy is pretty straightforward: Don’t sneak into others’ lives, and don’t let anyone sneak into yours.
Why Are You So Interested in Others’ Lives, Anyway?
Is it because your life is not exciting enough? Or interesting enough? Or cool enough?
Don’t you think that Instead of uploading photos or reels to social media, you should work on your life?
By the way, I know a couple who upload their pictures on social media like crazy. If they sipped tea, people must know. If they stop by a highway restaurant, the people have the right to know. And if they just felt romantic in each other’s arms, everybody should know. It’s insane.
Please, keep your life to yourself. And, Instead, do something worthwhile:
- Go for a jog
- Tend your plants. (don’t tell me you don’t have any)
- Volunteer for your favorite cause
- Clean your street
- Learn a new skill
- Complete your half-finished projects
Or whatever.
The point is: Do something to make your life interesting. For yourself. There are a thousand and one things you can do to make your life exciting. And believe me, uploading a selfie online is not one of them.
Until next time.
Ciao!