We’ve just rung in a new year, so what better moment to formulate some social media resolutions? This list is just what I came up with for myself, to improve my social media useage in 2023. These resolutions may provide some ideas for other people, especially those who are prone to social media addiction or time-wasting. If you hardly use social media at all, or just don’t feel the tug to use it excessively, feel free to forward this to friends who do use social media a lot.
1/ SOCIAL MEDIA-LIFE BALANCE: use social media like Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube on your computer, NOT on your phone; hold off on accessing social media til end of workday.
2/ ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION about forwarding or re-tweeting news & information from unverified sources. If it's not a well established or reliable source, hold off or investigate further before sharing.
3/ FOLLOW INTELLIGENT & THOUGHTFUL PEOPLE even if you disagree with them profoundly - you might actually learn something from them!
4/ EXPAND YOUR REPERTOIRE OF THEMES. The pandemic left a profound mark on society, but there are lots of other issues worth talking about - e.g. housing, quality of life, work-life balance, immigration, freedom of speech, decentralised government, education, health services, etc.
5/ KEEP IT CIVIL. Even if you are treated uncivilly, retain your civility and stay courteous, blocking abusive interlocutors as a last resort. Do not stoop to the level of trolls; do not use ad hominem arguments; and do not demonise your opponents.
6/ THINK THROUGH THE COUNTER-ARGUMENT. It's not enough to just preach to the choir. Try to understand why your adversaries think differently. If you disagree with them, show what's wrong with their arguments.
7/ ADMIT TO YOUR MISTAKES, even if it hurts. We all make mistakes from time to time, but it takes guts to quickly admit to them and correct one's view accordingly.
8/ TRY NOT TO PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO PERSONALISED ATTACKS. They might sting in the moment, but almost invariably, they are not worth wasting time engaging with.
9/ GIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT to those who disagree with you. Apply the principle of charity as much as you possibly can to their arguments, assuming until proven otherwise that they are acting with good intentions.
10/ USE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE GOOD, BUT KEEP THEM IN THEIR PLACE. Always put the things that matter deeply to you first, e.g. love, family, faith, friendships, and whatever personal and work projects you think are worth investing in.
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Hear! Hear!
"in defence of a free and open society"
When I hear the words "open society", I reach for my gun.