Does Social Media Aid Social Action?

Social Media seems to have become the modern “Speakers Corner”,  except with Facebook et al no one makes the effort to come and listen to judgement and opinion, they simply have it imposed upon them by “friends” or “followers”.

I am connected to a number of people through Social Media, (though possibly not after this) who seem to delight in passing judgement on all of society around them. Usually these judgements are accompanied by some link to a media story based around humankind’s ability to inflict itself upon fellow humanity whenever it sees fit, usually at the expense of minority groups/ peoples.

It is clearly very important and I am all for, being made aware of social phenomena and activity throughout the globe, and of our own individual position in world society. This is something social media can be applauded for, never before have so many people been able to so easily gain access to contemporary information on events happening around the world. However, before we simply pass around these photos and stories of events, and “share”  collective "ooh's", "aah's", "isn't that terrible!”, and “isn’t he a bad man” (he probably is); Before we simply mount high horses and judge others from our privileged saddles, let us take a moment to think "what do I actually do to affect positive change" - we can all comment, we can all sit in our computer desk swivel seats and judge... How many of us act? Really.

In tandem with this, the majority of these stories seem to aid whoever reads them in feeling a shared sense of guilt, like they are in cahoots with the “bad guy”. In most scenarios, this is not the case. It is important to remember that no one should feel guilty for their position of privilege (privileged being not starving to death, not that you attended private school), as long as we lucky few are aware of our good fortune, and of our responsibility to not simply turn a blind eye and judge others, but to do something, however little, to positively affect the lives of those who are less lucky than ourselves.

Social media is a great tool for information sharing, but let it be the catalyst for action rather than simple opinion voicing. Let it help us understand our position in society, whatever that position is, and actually “do” what we can, instead of talking about what others should do in our stead. Now, back to my easy chair to read others opinions, and to throw forth my own...