Focusing on the positive has never been more important

The 60 Minutes piece on the Facebook whistleblower last night verified a concept I have thought a great deal about over the past few years. Media, be it print or television, has had a tendency to over dramatize. Social media has taken it a step further and is ever increasingly focused on the negative. There is old adage that a person who has a bad experience will tell ten people, but may only tell one person about a good experience. This is an unfortunate psychological part of being human. In the age of instant communication and feedback, it is an accelerating downward spiral. Like Ms. Haugen, I have lost old friends to the amplification of political viewpoints by social media.

Each time a social media app is opened, there is a bombardment of biases and political strife. AB is a socialist. BC is a racist. There is an epidemic of ignorant, entitled, middle aged women aka "Karens". If social media is to be believed, corporations have never been greedier or less concerned with the environment, or their employees. Not long ago, the reports of fabulous cultures at tech start ups were almost inconceivable. Did Jeff Bezos morph into the devil incarnate overnight? Covid has presented some extra challenges. It has been "weaponized" politically, primarily through social media. Distrust of the government and corporations has been increasingly sewn into the fabric of our society, crossing all lines. Despite saving lives with infinitesimal risk, battle lines have been drawn over vaccination. Thousands have died and millions are still risking their lives because they might be deemed "stupid" or "sheep". Why is an almost insignificant personal, medical choice a life or death donnybrook? Thank you, social media.

It is time to stop and take a breath. There are some very positive aspects to social media. I am staying in touch with friends across years and many miles. It's great to see pictures of their kids getting married, the fish they have caught surrounded by awe inspiring landscapes, and it has allowed me to provide encouragement during traumatic events in their lives. For business, it helps reach customers and amplifies reviews (hopefully good ones). I'm sorry if those things don't maximize the profit algorithm, but it's time to stress on those positive aspects. I commit to never giving a "thumbs up" to another potentially controversial post, using the squeezing heart emoji more frequently and work toward giving ten kudos for every criticism. Please join me, because never before has focusing on the positive been more important.