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Observations about media, controversy, & our responses to it, from having taught on modern culture: a thread.
Media generates profit for its producers. This is not wrong! The worker deserves his wages. We should pay those who create content. But the media isn't neutral. 1/
Media generates profit for its producers. This is not wrong! The worker deserves his wages. We should pay those who create content. But the media isn't neutral. 1/
The perpetual problem of "giving the readers what they want" (even if untrue/unhelpful), is heightened in media that relies on advertising for $$$. (In contrast: when you buy a book/ magazine, the publisher doesn't need to ensure that you look at every single article or page) 2/
Online media has an even bigger problem: its advertising relies on views/clicks. If people don't react/share, they lose money.
Therefore, online media MUST get constant reactions & high engagement or it won't make $$$.
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Therefore, online media MUST get constant reactions & high engagement or it won't make $$$.
3/
What's the time-tested way to get reactions & constant high engagement ?
NEGATIVITY and NOVELTY.
Negativity: stoking fear, anger, hate, anxiety, disgust, etc.
Novelty: new occasions to be fearful, angry, hateful, anxious, disgusted, etc.
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NEGATIVITY and NOVELTY.
Negativity: stoking fear, anger, hate, anxiety, disgust, etc.
Novelty: new occasions to be fearful, angry, hateful, anxious, disgusted, etc.
4/
This was already true in newspapers & in TV ("if it bleeds, it leads") but it's an order of magnitude more so in social media. Think about the news you see in your feeds...
Now think about the natural consequences.
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Now think about the natural consequences.
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In order to make $$$ and expand influence (for more $$$), the *most effective strategy* for media creators is therefore:
1) deliberately present material as new / shocking, etc, whether or not this is actually the case;
2) frame it negatively to generate anger/fear, etc
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1) deliberately present material as new / shocking, etc, whether or not this is actually the case;
2) frame it negatively to generate anger/fear, etc
6/
There's a snowball effect: when a news item that is novel & negative hits, other people glom onto it, to get their share of the clicks and shares.
Then it *looks* even more important & therefore gets even more anger/fear/anxiety-based attention.
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Then it *looks* even more important & therefore gets even more anger/fear/anxiety-based attention.
7/
Social media engines are finely tuned to accelerate the process, with algorithms to show us the latest new, negative, anger-and-fear-generating, click-and-share-inducing items.
The occasional positive bit (aww, cute kitten!) serves to hide the pattern so we stay hooked.
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The occasional positive bit (aww, cute kitten!) serves to hide the pattern so we stay hooked.
8/
Consider also the MODE of receiving novel, negative news. In modern media, there is no context or background. Each bit is in isolation: BAD SCARY, react, react! Context & knowledge = more measured responses = less clicking & sharing; therefore, we get contextless negativity. 9/
The online environment is deliberately distracting & fragmented. This is not accidental; it is a profoundly effective strategy to keep us glued to our devices & feeds. It disarms our ability to process what we take in, so we're more likely to simply react in anger/fear. 10/
We also live in an age of unprecedented (& increasing) information overload. No other Pope in history, for instance, had his smallest remark recorded and distributed worldwide instantly (let alone, by media w/no understanding of the limits of papal infallibility) 11/
Why does the media fail to distinguish between commentary/personal views & official teaching, between a Pope's (possibly badly done or mistaken) application of teachings & the Church's infallible, unchangeable teachings? Ignorance, yes. But also practical self-interest. 12/
Rage and fear generate media engagement. Encouraging people to read the Catechism and the magisterial documents of the Church to be reminded of what the Church dogmatically affirms? Not so much. OF COURSE we keep getting new "alarms": we keep taking the bait. 13/
And the more anxious, angry, fearful, and addicted to distraction we are, the less we're able to slow down and do the fundamental learning that moves us OUT of the rage/fear cycle, & the less we're able to pray & reflect. It self-perpetuates. 14/
Sadly, the rage/fear cycle also serves to distract us from genuine injustices and problems, especially when these are "boring" by worldly standards, don't relate to current obsessions, unfold over time, or take a longer time to understand. 15/
What should we do? Disengagement isn't the answer. Online media is problematic, but it's where people are: a mission field. But first, we must behave online such that non-Christians say "How those Christians love one another!", not "How they slash at each others' throats!" 16/
Personal holiness is foundational here as in all our witness. Examine your conscience daily regarding social media. Find a good guide & reflect on sins of THOUGHT, as well as word and deed. GO TO CONFESSION regularly & take it seriously. 17/
Take a media fast (24 hours at least, or longer). I had my students do this, & I do it regularly myself. It's a life-changer. Truly. Step away from the maestrom of distractions & novelty & negativity. It will be hard & painful, bc. we're addicted to distraction. But do it. 18/
Set limits on your engagement & the time you spend online. (I do this: I often fail, but even so, it helps a great deal). Turn OFF push notifications. Don't check media first thing in the AM or last thing at night. Don't do hot takes (even if pressured to do so). 19/
Consider also WHAT you read. Does a site/author consistently provoke you to anger, fear, anxiety, contempt? Back away. Does it help you understand issues more clearly & fully, encourage you to restrain snap judgment, help you to pray & live in faith & love? Stick with it. 20/
Learn the dynamics of the online media landscape. Both country lanes & city roads have value, but you are more likely to be run over in the city. Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death" & @TheAlanNoble's "Disruptive Witness" are useful to understand media & culture. 21/
Refrain from participating in the anger/fear cycle. Ask yourself: am I being emotionally manipulated? Do I actually need to know about this? Will sharing my reaction do any good? What do I need to learn to understand the context? (Then learn it). 22/
Recognize that information overload & emotional burnout are real, and harmful. They distort our judgment, prevent real growth, & distract from useful work & real relationships. Step back. Take a break (regularly). Resist the distraction-negativity cycle. 23/
And above all: pray. What happens in the world is important, but it isn't the final word. Live in love & charity w/your neighbor. Read the Bible. Go to confession, go to Mass as/when you can. Ask Our Lady & the saints for their prayers & help. Stay focused on Christ. /fin
