Social Media: The Root of all Evil

My Twitter bio should read "social media is the root of all evil," because of the frequency in which I utter those words. This is a declaration I stand by religiously and do not take lightly. One of my best friends and biggest skeptics on my theory tweeted at me a couple nights ago saying "Social media is the root of all evil"-Kayla Bachman @kaylahlahh #startingtothinkyoumayberight." Her realization made me believe she was starting to see the light.

The articles in class titled "Fakebook," "Is Facebook Making Us Lonely," and "Reach Out and Touch No One," all have such negative connotations and they agree with my theory on social media. I would like to start out by saying social media is an unbelievable creation but the way in which my generation and younger generations utilize it makes me want to cringe. Social media is a platform for flaunting, bragging, and creating an impression of your god-like qualities. It promotes and encourages narcissism to its highest degree and constructs a virtual world in which it is acceptable for everyone to tell you how great you are. Social media destroys moments by consuming your attention focused on a device rather than a face.

I miss the days when you would go for a walk without your phone in hand and look up at the trees with their vibrant fall colors. The moment was yours and your mind was focused and present. Nowadays, your phone dangles lazily at your side and for a brief instance you look up at the trees. You don't see the fall colors through your own eyes but rather the lens of your iPhone 4S and the natural colors are quickly changed by an Instragam filter. The moment wasn't yours and your mind  wasn't focused or present. The moment was shared with your Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook followers and your mind was focused on the feedback you will gain as a result of the photo post.

The good old days were the days you would do something for the pure joy and happiness of a new experience, an adventure. I'm afraid now you do something for the recognition, the attention, and the publicity an experience will get you. Moments aren't cherished, they are hung on a wall called social media.