most people get upset at trolls, hate, or outrage when it's geared toward them online, but then enjoy it when it's geared toward people they don't like. this feeds a vicious cycle that will either continue in this direction or shift course if we can change our societal values
we have to admit that we value trolling. we value calling people out. we value vitriol. we just don't want to because we believe it's justified on our behalf, while unjustifiable on the behalf of our enemies. it's like the worst parts of human nature have spun out of control
want to know the reason why so many brands are sassy and troll people online? because that's what makes posts go viral. users have been doing it for years and almost everyone seems to love it. if we want to change that into something better, it has to start at the cultural level
I'm not saying we need more "free hugs" or that we should pretend there aren't problems in the world or that everyone can just magically get along. I'm saying we need to create better societal attitudes toward one another and stop promoting negative behaviors like they're cool
we've all been tricked into making negativity trendy. I love starting beef as much as the next brand, but now this general attitude has been coopted and capitalized by the mass media machine, which has fostered a prosperous industry of feeding sensationalism and polarization
there has and there always will be trolling, nihilism, cynicism, and critical differences between people that lead to fringe behaviors online. sometimes it can be healthy, but most times it's far from it. either way, that doesn't mean everyone else should naively follow along
internet culture is a reflection of irl culture and that proves there are vast societal problems in need of change. highlighting those problems can lead to a better future, but if we lose sight of our connecting values along the way, what good was it all for?
Steak-umm bless
Steak-umm bless
