How to be a better person in Social Media? The paradox behind of it
Social media is one of the main drivers of today’s society, it leads us to apply trends, discover needs, create behaviors and even feel fear or happiness.
Do we really know how much our internet presence impacts society? How many of us take accountability for our posts? How many lives are we impacting through our message that is probably containing self-images, status exhibition, social or political views or just funny media trends, often leading ourselves to a great mix of feelings such as vanity, low self-steam, fear and depression.
Social media mainly leads ourselves to self promotion (it’s only about ourselves, not about others) building new values on society, where having likes and being well known by others are considered success. In order to achieve it people might do almost anything for it, form plastic surgeries, jumping from moving cars or even recording accidents or people getting hurt.
This connects directly to Narcisism.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder affects around 1% of general population and high levels of narcissism can manifest in a pathological form also leading to this disorder, whereby the individual overestimates his or her abilities and has an excessive need for admiration and affirmation, also with arrogant thinking and behavior, lack of empathy and consideration to other people. People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder are often described as cocky, manipulative, selfish, patronizing and demanding. These surfaces in every area of a Narcissist life, from work and friendships to family and love relationships.
Narcissist people are extremely resistant to change their behavior, even when it’s causing them problems, the tendency is to turn the blame on others and they are extremely sensitive and react the slightest badly to criticism, disagreements, which they view as personal attacks.
The paradox existed in social media is while we connect to others to be closer, we keep increasing our distance by thinking and looking only to ourselves, expecting praise, admiration and affirmation from those around us, badly resulting in the lack of empathy and unity.
How can society grows together and equally in a good direction with those values and traits? How can a Narcissism based society with lack of empathy can be even sustainable if we don’t hold for each other but only for ourselves?
“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Social media if is well used can turn into a powerful tool for the great of society, numerous cases can be listed where people received donations and support in urgent cases, inspirational stories were shared, intelligent debates arose and from it great solutions were achieved and people who we admire are easier to reach more than ever.
Thinking or serving to other people in our daily basis, including in social media, leads us to increase our empathy and to have a greater and positive impact in society. For every action that is taken we must ask ourselves what are the main outcomes that will be brought in other people’s lives, are those matching our main purpose or values in life? Social media makes communication easier, so how should we use this tool to bring a positive impact in other people’s lives as well?
Our Internet presence is as much important as our daily physical presence, that’s why we must dedicate our time wisely and define how can we bring a positive impact to others through our content and behaviors, it seems simple but it’s a big challenge in a world where Narcissism is valuable as a common trait.
Post inspired by the following content:
Jocko Podcast 221: Jonny Kim. Navy SEAL, Doctor, Astronaut. The Unimaginable Path.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder – HelpGuide.org
Art: Bosch, Hieronymus – The Garden of Earthly Delights, right panel – Detail Bird-headed monster or The Prince of Hell – close-up head