#spreadthemessage

Hashtags.

#blessed, #Iwokeuplikethis... Hashtags have made it in our media-obsessed world has one of the most prevalent ways of clipped, precise communication. A few simple taps of a finger, and suddenly, you're connected to millions of other people around the world with the same cause as you.

As meaningless as some hashtags like the aforementioned ones seem, you, my dear reader, recognize them. You've seen them before. Somewhere, maybe on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook... no matter where you've seen or heard of them, their job has been done. The message has been delivered.

Such is the tactic of the slacktivist.

Delivering a message not by blood, sweat, and tears-- but by the simple click of a button.

However, by no means is this absolutely negative. Yes, you're sitting at home doing close to nothing, but again: The message has been delivered. In cooperation with activism, it may largely contribute to the cause.

But must one make a large effort to spread a message? Simply put, no. A retweet or a picture spreads a message as, maybe even more, effectively than a rally or a parade. It's just that if everyone sits in their chairs doing nothing, a lot of small effort doesn't make any change.

In #BlackLivesMatter's case...

In the summer of 2016, #BlackLivesMatter took the internet by storm after existing for nearly four years. Heartwrenching stories and videos were spread across various social media platforms, shooting straight into the empathy of the audience. 

Culturally, the targeted audience is the type of person to have the spirit to rally and protest for their beliefs. Only... protests are dangerous for all. More tragic deaths resulted from these rallies, which teaches one to cherish any life-- for it is so easily snapped.

This is not to say that #BLM was incorrect. In fact, the fact that it swept across the internet is quite a feat and raised awareness globally to protect the African-American people against prejudice and harm. BLM was a balanced braid of both activism and slacktivism, and the deaths associated and caused by it were poignant in all hearts across America-- no, hearts worldwide.

#TheDress-- a serious twist.

Just a year before, in 2015, the internet was caught up in a trend: Is the dress gold and white or black and blue? (It's black and blue. I assure you.)

from mirror

The Salvation Army took the opportunity to spin #TheDress into a way of raising awareness for domestic violence and abuse towards women. In fact, a perfect example of slacktivism.

Though images stung in one's mind after seeing them, not much was done in terms of physical effort. Images and tweets were shared, but all the campaign did was raise awareness. The women (and others) being abused did not have a major condition change in their quality of living.

The message has been delivered. Now choose what you will do with it.

freedom of speech through the internet-- good or bad?

Freedom.

Google defines it as "the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint." It's typically associated to positivity, but in reality, the definition says nothing of the sort.

To base one's actions 'as one wants' could mean all sorts of positive things: creating art, listening to music, living without imposed restraint... But are we overlooking the fact that freedom allows those with ill intent to act as they want to as well?

from giphy

Who are you?

Anonymity is a largely ambiguous in terms of positivity and negativity. It's much easier to reach out for help on things such as forums without revealing one's identity, and that may help people who fear judgement off of who they are and how they're feeling. However, there are people who will abuse this anonymity, lashing out and saying mean things to others that they wouldn't have the 'guts' to say in person.

On the other hand, anonymity reveals one's true colours and leads us to asking the questions: is this really who I want to be? Are these people who I want to be around?

from pinterest

In an ideal world...

It is wishful thinking to say that it's possible for every single person on the internet to be kind to each other. But if there's a message I can leave with you lovely readers, it's to not be that mean person.

If no one were to be cruel to each other on the internet-- would we really have to question if it were a positive or a negative thing?

for humans are too easily influenced.

"We shape our tools and afterwards our tools shape us."

A very general statement that can apply to so many aspects of modern life. Marshall McLuhan probably had no idea what would be going on in the 21st century when he said it, but it seems to make sense with many situations in one's daily living.

Laziness is the mother of invention.

Looking for an easier way to do things? Fear not, your brain can usually come up with something that might make it even more difficult.

Or, at times, you might actually come up with something worthwhile.

Maybe you might even decide to spread the idea to people around you. Make yourself big. Share your solution to the public, hoping for a resounding chorus of "Yes, this is such a great idea! The world deserves to have this."

From mashable

Life is easier now.

Whatever the new idea was, it seems to make life a little easier. At the click of a button, you can now connect with your old college best friend that drifted from you after you started your master's degree. Tapping your screen a few times shares your smile when you finished that marathon to the world.

Certainly, a flick of the wrist is easier than approaching a stranger at the bar to say hello, in hopes that love may be found that night.

But what does that mean to us?

Media tools are created to make life easier for us, but what have we ceased to do in the process of transitioning into this world, so incredibly based on virtual interactions?

We've sacrificed one-on-one time to the convenience of text messages. We've thrown away our abilities to gather up the courage to talk to someone face to face. 

From giphy

These inventions have certainly made life easier for us, but are starting to take away what it truly means to be human.

The past and the present.

Marshall McLuhan had a point when he said that 'our tools shape us'. A genius idea from one person creates a community for so many other people to have access to influences and perhaps forget about their own values. Media is always a place that changes people.

People create social media platforms to broadcast values that are tuned to what will entice you, what will influence you, what will perhaps change you.

What's scary about it is that what is broadcasted on media is now creating identities for people in our society instead of reminding them that it's right to be unique, it's right to love your own values, it's right to be you.

I don't even know how different I would be without media.