When Sharing Is Not Caring

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With the explosion of social media everything is subjective to the almighty “share” button and I mean everything. Unfortunately much of the “news” that is “shared” today is not really news and can often be untrue. And, although most people do care about what’s going on in our world,  there is only so much time and one can only take on so many issues, and to be fair, there are A LOT of issues right now.

But…

Sadly, because people are not getting real answers, speculation increases and the internet becomes alive with conjecture and unfounded rumor. This is irresponsible. We are doing a disservice to ourselves, our country, our foreign relations and to anyone involved in any story we spread around. We have become the very thing we say we are fighting against.

It is easy to read a headline and a blurb and hit “share” without actually reading the content therein.

Don’t look away or hit the back-button, you know you have been guilty of this too.

Do You Really Know What You Are Sharing?

When we follow a particular publication, journalist, TV anchor or talk-show host, it is easy to read/hear only what we are expecting or want to hear. It’s called confirmation bias, and when we do this, we often miss the full extent of what we are being told.

This is like the old saying about sex, “If it feels good, do it”.

But, does it really feel good?

To Care Or Not To Care

What we “share” travels quickly and widely. It isn’t like gossiping with a neighbor over the fence. Every time you push that “share” button, it is the equivalent of broadcasting at the Super Bowl and then some. Remember the childhood game, “Telephone”?

Not a day goes by that I do not hear or read sentences that begin with, “I don’t care what you think…”

Really? Then why should anyone care what you think?

Do not actions still speak louder than words?

Truth Or Consequences?

Every day I see countless “shares” of Alex Jones shows or articles. How many of those sharing have actually fact checked and sourced what they are sharing? Chances are — if you did, you would find many discrepancies, embellishments and even outright lies. I do, all of the time.

Alex Jones is not the only offender, the difference is however, that because he is considered “alternative media” and rants about mainstream media lies, he is supposed to do better and be better…he’s not.

It’s Your Fault Too

What’s worse is that alternative media followers spend more time on social media sharing the news they read. This isn’t a bad thing if what we share is factual, but when we participate in irresponsibly “sharing” falsities or exaggerations we become just as bad as the one who put the information out there to begin with.

We may have all been raised to believe “sharing is caring”, but I am pretty sure none of our parents taught us to share shit.

Do I always get it right?

No, I don’t, but I am conscious of the problem and give my best effort to be a responsible journalist and even more, a responsible citizen.

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• Alex Jones: Pioneer or Loudmouthed Bully? (goodmoviesbadmovies.com)
• In Defence of Alex Jones: An InfoWars Writer Speaks Out (noncoe.com)
• Supporters Censor Comments Against Alex Jones (antiteapublican.wordpress.com)
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