When it comes to social media, I am addicted. Or at
least I was. I don’t really do Facebook, unless I have to share news about my
books, or something I am working on. Twitter not so much either. Pinterest;
Sure, for research. Especially about items, or lifestyles, I will never be able
to afford. Instagram is my social media of choice at the moment. You can say so
much with just a picture, and a short description bellow, or not. Easy, peasy.
And of course, I am getting back to blogging.
But I have come to really hate social media. 20th of
June my Chef sister and I were in a car accident, on our way to make a
delivery. We are okay. We both have whiplash, and of course our bodies hurt,
and we are a bit black and blue. But what really bothered me, was that after we
pushed away the airbags, and I was checking on my sister, I saw people crowd
around the broken up car to take photos. Of the car, of us . . . It was perverse.
Such a violation of privacy. My sister was unconscious for a while, and people
were taking photos, and making videos, as I tried to wake her, and just find
out how badly she was hurt. Nobody called for help, or the police. They just stood
there. I had to call for help myself, even though I asked for someone to call
the police.
Have we as people become so desensitized to trauma, or
human life, and suffering that we just don’t care about anything, or anyone
else anymore? Is privacy, and compassion truly a thing of the past?
Not for me. I still try to be a descent person. I
don’t live my life through a lens. I sometimes share certain aspects of my
life, yes, but I decide which, and it’s about my author self. I don’t have any
social media profiles for myself (personally), but the writer part of me does.
I don’t do it for attention, even though I do get an adrenaline rush every time
someone leaves a comment, or likes something I said (wrote).
I started using various social media platforms to
spread word of my writing, and book. For business purposes (wink-wink) However,
these days I don’t have much authorly news to share, so I mostly read what
others are posting, and sharing. Cute cat/ dog videos. Nice quotes. The
funnier, the better. Also, articles about archaeological finds . . . Stuff like
that.
But I do fear that I have become so addicted to those
daily funnies, that I will become one of those people that forget to be human.
Who walk around texting without looking up, or to see where they are going.
I have wanted to close my Facebook account many times,
but I have made a few fellow South African friends that want to know about when
I am publishing again, wanting to buy the next book, and so forth. Facebook is
their social media of choice. So I don’t want to lose the small audience I have
built there.
Aside for blogging, I’m angry at social media. I will
look, but not participate for a while.
How do you feel about social media?
I'm glad you're both all right! How terrible of people. But think back to when Lady Diana was in that car crash - what did people do? They took pictures.
ReplyDeleteNot all people are horrible. I still believe in the good in people and I look for it.
I met a few when they came to check on us after the crash. But you are so right.
DeleteI am so sorry for what happened. This world has become so strange, and it is because of social media. The fact that no one called for help is outrageous. That's the first thing I'd do if I saw someone get in a wreck. I wouldn't even think to record or take pictures. That's not the kind of person I am. I once saw a crash that happened right behind. I literally missed it. And I pulled over and ran to make sure the person in the car that was hit was okay.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are your sister are okay. Hugs!
Thank you, Chrys. You are a great person.
DeleteIt's awful how so many people's first instinct is to whip out their phones and record what they're seeing. A while back, my sister and I witnessed a terrible car accident, so I pulled out my phone to call for an ambulance and so many people gave me crap for it that I ended up shouting, "I'm calling for an ambulance, assholes!" into the emergency dispatcher's ear (maybe it gave her a good story for later?) It never occurred to me to take video for social media, and I hope it never will.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that you and your sister are okay!
Thank you. People are so strange.
DeleteThat shocks and sickens me, Murees.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Luckily, like Alex said, there are some good people.
DeleteI'm so sorry this happened, but thankful you and your sister are both okay. It's horrifying that people were taking pictures but sadly I guess not surprising either. I have really soured on social media although I know there are still good aspects of it.
ReplyDeleteTake care!
Thank you. There are good aspects of social media, and one can even make it fun. Its sick when people use it for the wrong reasons.
DeleteI'm glad to hear you and your sister are all right. There is something seriously wrong with people who take pictures at a crash site. When I was in college, I started off in journalism. There was a rape on campus and the press flocked to the campus and were getting in people's faces. I decided I could never be that kind of person and switched to counseling instead.
ReplyDeleteThank you. That is horrid! The last thing you would want, is someone in your face. You are a great person for understanding that, even if it took you on a different path.
DeleteHi Murees - so sorry about the accident - yet glad you're both ok. I understand what you're saying and it's horrible if the photos are only being taken to be gauped at ... yet I guess they could help the police re evidence.
ReplyDeleteBut I've learnt not to get sidetracked with social media sites - I don't need them and so get myself away if I start wandering. Good luck though and all the best - Hilary
Thank you, Hilary. You are right. I know I tend to get lost in social media, for sure.
Deletei share your outrage—how can humans be so callous and heartless? that’s outrageous!
ReplyDeleteit reminds me of the last seinfeld episodes when they were charged and jailed with inaction, funny then but nowadays i wish it could happen. just disgusting! so glad you are okay!
Thank you. Times have definitely changed. People no longer consider others. It it so upsetting.
DeleteA double-edged sword, Murees. Useful for publicity for my little books, but there are many weird and wonderful Carole Anne Carr websites out there, people using my name as the title of their websites to advertise their products and in a foreign language. Fortunately, after the initial 'oh, dear' I'm too old to really bother. However, if what happened to you was to happen to my, I think my reaction would have been the same as yours 🌹
ReplyDeleteThis happened to me as well. Someone opened a blog with my name and content once. It showed up in google search. It was so upsetting. I sent them a dmca notice soon after. But I agree. Social media is very useful, and so entertaining.
Deleteyour site is great
ReplyDeletehbkio.com/