Interrupting propaganda
Without further reflection on what we’re reading, it’s easy to spread content that seems to appeal to our values, all the while taking our focus away from the real issues at hand.
The social media system rewards people for having many followers.
The more followers we have, the more impact we get to make. Some use that for good, others for evil, and some to advance their own agenda.
A great way to build a following is by sharing and re-sharing existing material found on the internet while personalizing it by adding our voice or commentary to it.
It offers a way to interact with the material and costs only a few seconds. It is cheap, and it works.
Without any buffers or guardrails, these actions can be disastrous. They can lead to sharing misinformation and promoting propaganda without our knowledge.
With Russia declaring war on Ukraine, propaganda is a strategy used to help sway the public’s eye away from their actions.
Without further reflection on what we’re reading, it’s easy to spread content that seems to appeal to our values, all the while taking our focus away from the real issues at hand.
It pays to add a few considerations before clicking the share button.
Reflect on what it triggers in you. Add distance between consumption and creation, especially if it brings strong emotions.
Be critical of the writer's intent and the source of information. Whether a source of information reinforces our beliefs or disagrees with them, being curious about their intent goes a long way.
Be clear about your intent to share and the possible impact. Even positive intentions can lead to adverse effects.
Educate yourself on propaganda; learn to recognize the signs. As Maya Angelou once said, when you know better, do better. Our actions are limited by what we know; new information can lead to better decision-making.
Whether we’re consumers or creators on the internet, we have a duty to share accurate content.
And when we make mistakes, it shows integrity to take ownership of them, apologize, and make the appropriate corrections to move forward with clarity.
While most of the world has access to the internet, nearly anyone can reshare a post. A smaller percentage of these will offer personalized commentaries to add value, and only a few courageous leaders will step forward and own up to their mistakes when they make them.
We need more leaders in business, politics and social media willing to own up to their mistakes.
It might be the first step toward dismantling the cancel culture that continues to grow.
Who do you want to be? Will you reshare without a second thought?
Miguel,
Sparknotion – Think Differently.