I was just looking at my Twitter stream and a Tweet from a friend of mine in the media popped up. I read the post, sighed, felt sad and then put my cursor over the ReTweet button and clicked. Next box popped up and asked if I wanted to just RT or RT with a comment. I opted for RT with a comment because I felt a need to offer my own thoughts.
Then, I stopped. I cancelled my ReTweet and I shook my head and thought, “Why do I want to add to the problems.”
You see, the Tweet was about tragedy. I read it, thought, “That’s horrible news.” and I was immediately ready to share the information. But why? I’m not directly impacted by the event. I’m not part of the mainstream media that we rely on to report the facts. I’m not part of the emergency services responsible for the area, nor am I a representative of the agencies or industries involved in the event, so in no way am I a voice of authority I was simply going to share information that was already being shared by numerous people, so what was I going to add to the story? Nothing. Nothing at all.
All I was going to add was more, “That’s horrible.”
The funny thing was, I was about to do the Retweet and only an hour or so before I read the Tweet, I read a great piece called, “Why Do We Endlessly ReTweet Tragedy?” It really is a great question. It is also the inspiration for this post.
Herein lies the problems.
- There is a lot of noise no matter what social platform is in use and so much of that noise is negative. Much of which is created by the Share, Like, Tumbl, ReTweet, Re-Blog society that we have become.
- The “press the button” mentality has led to a great deal of mis-information that gets perpetuated because most people lack the simple skill of sourcing information and fact checking.
- Some information is simply put, time sensitive. Amber Alerts are the perfect example here. They only last for 5 hours, yet days later we can still see ReTweets or Shares of the original information which can create rebound issues and eventually a numbing of people’s sense to share when they see the real and valid information.
- Do we need more negative or could we use more positive?
I have to admit that there is a really good amount of positive and inspirational information that gets shared, but I think we could always use more.
So how about the next time you are tempted share doom and gloom, take a minute and ask yourself, “Am I adding value?” And if your answer is no, then maybe look for better information to share. Information that helps, inspires or celebrates the greatness that is in the true human spirit.
Related Posts:
Fact Checking, You just gotta do it.
Time Sensitive Information and Sharing
Great blog with sensible thoughtful advice. I’m going to resist sharing it until more of MY followers in the UK are awake. As timing is also important when sharing I’ve found! 😉
Very true…timing can be the key to many things.
Thanks so much!
My pleasure I enjoy your blog posts they have value 🙂
Mixed feelings on this one Tim. I try to point out positives, those in our profession going that extra mile to help their communities. I also try to focus on issues relating to government and how their decisions affect those in policing. But there are also tragedies.
When I think of a tragedy the first thoughts go to the victims and their families. Next I think of the first responders and the the tasks they are required to perform. Maybe just part of their training, but so much is taken for granted. I also think of tragedies as “how can we learn from this and make sure this does not happen again?”
Perhaps it may not seem of value to some (and I totally agree with you on ensuring that you are not passing on misinformation), but I think it shows awareness and a recognition that something is important to you……and potentially those who follow you. We each develop our own on-line personalities. We are also only human and tragic events affect us as they do others.
But don’t tweet a story because of the headline. Tweet it because you have read it, it meant something to you and you think it may be of interest to others. Our friend Trefor Munn-Venn taught me a valuable lesson which I try to use at all times. Tweet the headline but also add something relevant…..i.e. it could be an emotion, an important quote in the story or a comment on why this story is important. By doing that, you are adding value…..and developing your on-line personality,
Just some thoughts…..
Tim;
You are so right in all that you said. What resonated through your words was express your thoughts, the importance to you and share those. I fully agree with that (Trefor is a SMART man).
In what we do, showing our awareness is so important and that should be brought through in the conversations. For example, thinking of the tragedy in Quebec, many people simply RT’d the latest counts of death and missing. After the first 20 or so, I couldn’t care less about those tweets. But, when someone added, “This is who to contact in case you need information”, that had incredible relevance.
Great article Tim! You hit the nail on the head. The doom and gloom is always front and center. If we could only give the positive things that get done everyday as much attention, the world might be a different place, for the better. Cheers!
Thanks Matt.
A different and quite possibly better place.
Stay safe and keep up the great work!
I think every RT or “Share” should have a like to the original article or snopes or something like snopes. I always check things before I move them on – there is so much bs out there that it is difficult to know what’s true and what’s not.
I don’t use Twitter much anymore – I don’t like the bashing that goes on so I check my account once in a while but thats it.
Facebook I use much more often – I use it more to keep in touch with people I don’t get to see on a regular basis.
I share things on FB when I know that some of my friends will take interest in it and then I usually share it with them directly.
Great point about a link back or using Snopes. Thanks!
Great article Tim, thanks.
It is so critical to assess the value added by passing information along as opposed to just automatically hitting the RT. Keep up the positive work, it’s much appreciated.
Scott
Thanks for taking the time Chief to read and comment.
So many times I’ve seen a tweet, then a retweet and putting two and two together figured out that the person RT’ing the information couldn’t have possibly taken the time to actually read the article in the link.
I totally agree. With all of life’s up and downs it’s easy to focus on the low points as oppose to the highs. However with every negative we must strive to seek out the positives in each and every situation. Although we may re-tweet those events that some may view as horrible and tragic. Other people can learn from others tragedies. The benefit is maybe that person won’t put themselves in that same situation hopefully. The example I use is the recent incidents of children being left alone in sweltering hot vehicles, some of which died. Tragic? Absolutely horrible! However a reminder to all of how precious our lives and children really are. Thanks for posting. Be safe.
Great tie in example. Tragic for sure, but there is such a valuable lesson to be focused on.
I agree.
Often, there are lessons to be learned from other’s mistakes. But a story, like the kids left in cars, gets a lot of coverage.
Sometimes, it’s just plain humorous to laugh with you folks. I recall a report from Orillia: the ‘ill-fitting thong’ story.
LOL….thanks Jenn!
OK, yes there are something that just HAVE to be shared, shared often and shared with ferocious amplification.