Social Media Gone Wild

I went on facebook late yesterday afternoon and had an email waiting in my Facebook inbox. My friend was asking me what the heck happened between "two male classmates from high school. One of which no one has seen in the 15+ years since we graduated. There was a big pro-war, anti-war debate raging between the two of them. Somehow another classmate's (who is now in the National Guard) name was dragged into it. Since the two men involved in the face-brawl were 'connected' to a number of people in our class, a few dozen - possibly over 40 people got to read two 30-something men rip into each other. It was like Rock of Love without trashy blonds and a bus.

As I quickly grew tired of the political bandstanding going on - it was clear that one of the guys has really not changed much at all. He was quick to temper and got his hackles up in a single comment. The classmate and all-around-good-guy was trying to back off the inflammatory comments but still stand his ground and try to move his opinion on the war forward. Ok, the good brawl went on for 10 or so posts in which one side was cussing up a storm. Ugh, people - fighting with someone else on the internet is futile...and the observers around the big public brawl can just get worn out. It tarnishes the opinion of those involved with the fight. I emailed the "good guy" through facebook and mildly scolded him. I told him he was better than that. And he agreed acknowledging that he got sucked in.

It just gives me more reason to pause with social media. People forget they are not 'speaking' that the words are in print and can create a lasting impression. You need to be smart about when you post on social media...because while it's easy and convenient, it is not day to day life. Your words when spoken can come back to haunt you, when written they can haunt you for a life time. Be smart out there - when in the heat of a moment - count to 10, think a moment about what the ripple-effect can do to you!