The impending collapse of Twitter has got me thinking about social media and our reliance on it. When I say Before Times, I mean anytime before the internet. If you’re old enough to remember, how did we ever find like-minded individuals back then? Quick answer: it wasn’t easy.
Like today, in the Before Times, there were networks for discovering like-minded people IRL (in real life). At places like work, school, and other social gatherings, it was possible to meet someone who liked the same things you did.
Nevertheless, these groups were mostly localized, confined to your immediate surroundings. Sure, they probably all existed in pockets scattered across the country, and the world, but there was no sense of a larger cohesion. We never really knew who else was out there beyond our own neighborhood. Did anyone else like under-the-radar things like the movie Buckaroo Banzai, or bands like Kraftwerk? It was hard to say.
For me, this began to change in the 80s and 90s. The closest I ever got to meeting other people with my real interests were the comic book and science fiction conventions. From the tiniest hometown gathering to the grandaddy of them all, the San Diego Comic-Con, these events were revelations for me. This is what social networking was like in the days before the internet.
It blew my mind to see a Comic-Con vendor selling bootleg VHS copies of Buckaroo Banzai at his booth. There were other people who loved this movie as much as I did? Unbelievable. Nevertheless, the time you spent meeting folks at conventions was fleeting, a momentary analog connection.
Sure, you could stay in touch with new friends via snail mail and later email, but it wasn’t like it is today. Now, your online friends are a constant thread running through your life, as long as they keep posting. These days, you’re only as good as your last random thought or meme that you’ve posted. The social media timeline marches on and waits for no one.
No matter what you like, there’s someone out there who likes it too.
One thing I’ve been considering a lot lately is this: Are your online friends really your friends? Maybe not in the purest sense, like someone you’ve known since high school. But in a way, they are. Maybe you’ve traded DMs and had real conversations about real things. That’s still a basis for valid friendship, isn’t it?
It’s still personal interaction, even if it is asynchronous. Better than having a pen pal, I think. More immediate.
I’ve gotten to know numerous people online over the years through Twitter, mostly other writers and movie nerds. It’s been a wonderful thing, so much better than the old days when you wandered the pop culture wilderness hoping to find other fans of Joe Frank or Rudy Ray Moore. Gone are the days of feeling alone in your appreciation of the most random things.
Nowadays, it’s the opposite. No matter what you like, there’s someone out there who likes it too. It’s just a matter of finding them on Twitter, or Reddit, or the myriad of social media platforms out there. You’re not alone anymore, which is liberating.
But, as with all things, there’s a dark, ugly side to this phenomena, too. Before social media, hate groups like white supremacists and others were often relegated to the fringes. Now Facebook, Twitter, and other channels have empowered these folks to organize en masse and make their presence known.
I’m not sure what the solution is for this dilemma we find ourselves in. For every good thing technology has given us, there is a sinister and hurtful variation. What can be used to bring positive results can also be twisted for evil ends. Online bullying, hate crimes, harassment, these have all been supercharged by social media.
Then I feel like the old days before social media might’ve been better. And don’t get me wrong, bad people doing bad things have always existed. It’s just easier now for them to find others to help them. This is the price we’re paying for the ability to connect to like-minded people with such ease. Will this be the end of us? It may very well drive us to the brink of civil war, but I’m trying to be positive and hope for a better future, for the beginning of something brighter. We’ll see what actually happens.
What are your thoughts on social media? Has it been a positive force in your life, or would you rather be rid of it? Let me know in the comments.
What I’m Reading:
I’ve been reading a lot of short stories lately, since that’s what I write. Now it’s time to start digging in to my To Be Read list of novels as well. I’ve started reading Haruki Murakami’s early novel, “A Wild Sheep Chase.” I’ve only read his short stories, but I’m liking this book so far.
What I’m Writing:
The literary fiction pieces that I’ve been submitting lately haven’t been getting picked up, which is enlightening, oddly enough. I’ve fared better with my sci-fi, crime fiction, and horror stories, so I’m thinking of leaning into this even more to see what happens. I’m working on several types of these stories, so we’ll see how it goes.
What I’m Listening To:
For the last few months, I’ve been getting back to podcasts. Before the pandemic, I’d listen to them on my morning and evening commutes to work. After lockdown, my daily diet slowed down considerably. Oddly enough, my wife, who never listened to podcasts pre-pandemic, now listens to them on her daily walks. I’ve begun to follow her lead.
Some of my faves (for writers): Writer’s Bone, Sisters in Crime, The Dark Word
Other faves: Smartless, Blockbuster, LeVar Burton Reads
What I’m Watching:
During the month of October, my wife and I watched a film every night (mostly horror). We’d never done that before. Typically, we watch TV series during the week, with movie watching reserved for the weekends.
Recent TV faves: The Old Man, Andor, Bob’s Burgers, Station Eleven
Recent movie faves: George A. Romero’s Martin, The Howling, Moonage Daydream
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