I am a social media junkie and an NPR junkie. Over the past few years NPR has done a number of interesting stories on Facebook, and the ones I find most interesting relate to the sociology of Facebook. There have been stories on Facebook and bullying, Facebook and depression, and Facebook and politics. One story I still think about considered whether Facebook brings us together or drives us further apart.
Reflections on Perspective — Cloud Gate, Chicago (@Got2Run4Me)
It may be obvious how Facebook brings us together. The whole point is to connect with your friends and keep in touch, right? But the story noted that the ability to select your “Friends” and edit your “Newsfeed” can drive us apart.
If we choose to “follow” only people and organizations whose views we agree with, we miss out on hearing other perspectives. When we are surrounded by like-minded people, it is easy to believe that “we” are right and “they” are wrong. But if we develop friendships across the lines that divide us (be it religion, politics, cardio vs. CrossFit, or vegetarian vs. Paleo), we may have an opportunity to learn–and possibly understand–the other side of the debate, even if we still don’t agree with it.
I’m all for un-following and un-friending people who post hateful comments or share inflammatory content, but I try not to over-curate my social media accounts. Being exposed to different perspectives may not make me change my mind, but it often makes me think about my positions, and realize that there may be room for rationale debate.
Check out other points of view on perspective
at Deb’s Wednesday Word link up.
[Tweet “Appreciating Different Perspectives #WednesdayWord”]
Have you had to unfollow (or hide) a friend from your Facebook Newsfeed?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I never unfollowed – – I can’t remember how long I’ve been on Facebook – – until the past month.
Racism, sexism, other isms 🙂 I just couldn’t tolerate it any longer and it seemed to have hit an all-time high.
I will take cat videos and memes any day.
That’s an interesting thought. I find that I try to “edit” my Facebook feed and not overshare my fitness related posts in the event it drives others away. However, my time is spent doing what I love so ultimately my facebook still feels like that! I don’t edits my feed, but I find myself interacting mostly with those with common interests and avoiding conflict with those who are very verbal with social and political views different than mine (I still read it, just choose not to engage). Thanks for the thought-provoking take on perspective this morning.
Wow that was a lot of typos…not enough coffee. I meant that I edit my own sharing but am not selective in who appears in my newsfeed.
I’ve unfollowed and hidden a few “friends” over the years. One posted blatantly racist posts when Obama was running for his second term–it was offensive no matter what your political beliefs. Most recently, a friend from high school has been doing the similar–not as blatant–but still very offensive to me. I hid him. I don’t like when people use FB as a platform to air their political beliefs. But there it is…
You make a very good point about following only people or causes that we align with and missing out on other viewpoints! I never thought about it that way
Yeah, there are a lot of really interesting articles out there about the way we create echo chambers now, not just on facebook but in real life too, and it contributes to only interacting with people who already think like us and leading to less ability to relate to people who think differently and less empathy 🙁
I choose not to FB. However, that decision in itself is likely distorting my perspective. I’ve had friends who are heavily into FB call me anti-social.
I don’t need FB to be exposed to differing opinions.
I have my husband for that. 🙂
I have had to hide a few friends from my feed – happened during the last presidential election cycle and I’m afraid it may happen again with the upcoming election. I’m all for differing points of view but have absolutely no tolerance for (as Carla said) any of the isms!
Interesting! Lots to think about & yes I have unfriended people who make really inappropriate comments or only post negative stuff. I like other points of view just not negativity .
I love that I live in a country where varying points of view can be debated; however, I make it a point not to post political opinions on my FB. I’ve observed far too many people get nasty when others don’t post what they agree with. I like for FB to be a relaxing escape, so yes, I’ve hidden friends during major election cycles who post nasty, rude things against the other party – either party.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your perspective!
It’s so true that when we follow people/organizations that align with our own perspectives that we limit other viewpoints. Because if I think about it, I do get a lot of my “news” from social media. I don’t really curate my feed or unfriend people (unless like you said, they say something hateful).
I’ve hidden a few people who post photo’s ever ten minutes about their hobby or business. It’s not that I don’t like them, they just clog up my feed and obscure other’s posts, I want to see.
What you say about Facebook and following only those we agree with is true of the blogosphere and Internet sites overall. It’s why paper newspapers were so valuable. We readers would stumble across articles that we might not agree with and read them. Now everyone has the opportunity to read only their side of the story.
How interesting I’m seeing this right now. Part of my hubby’s family just blocked me and my entire household today over a FB disagreement about that girl who got beat up in class by the cop. They told us to never speak to them again — all because we didn’t agree with their take on the matter. I’m kinda mad because one of the family members who blocked me makes really good scallop potatoes, and I won’t them get anymore.
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