Truth be told, I was
thinking of writing this piece for some time now. Thanks to insensitive tweet
of Shobhaa De, it has finally come out.
Off late, I have seen
an alarming rise in culture of public bashing and slandering over social media.
People feel entitled to make comments, observations and flaunt opinions over a
wide range of topics. Interestingly, if one were to question these
self-proclaimed experts over their knowledge and research behind the comments,
it would either be ‘thorough research’ conducted on social media forums (read
Facebook), or propelled by someone else’s comment (second hand arguments) or
very simply the fact that they can, thanks to the great freedom of thought and
expression. Mind you, this is the most popular phrase taken out of the
beautiful, pithy Indian Constitution (the rest of which we have no clue about).
More interestingly, the issues on which opinions are being thrown around have
little to no real meaning or concern for the people writing them. Had they been
driven by true passion for a cause, I would have been delighted. But when the
comments are fueled by the need for a few moments of cheap publicity, it
becomes nauseating. Further, it becomes worrisome when celebrated and renowned
authors join this bandwagon, especially the ones who call themselves opinion
shapers. Fame or reputation obtained by an individual in a certain aspect of
life should not make them feel entitled to attack or demean the efforts or
character of other individuals.
When someone throws
around opinion, the point that is conveniently skipped is the impact that it
creates. Given the mind-boggling reach of internet and longevity of content
once it gets online, the potential of causing damage to someone’s reputation or
morale is catastrophic. The recklessness of people is almost infinite. Sweeping
statements, unfair generalizations, faulty extrapolations are commonplace. The
World Wide Web has placed small nuclear weapons of mass destruction into the
hands of everyone with access to internet. Sensationalism overshadows
sensibility. Excitement overpowers rationality. If trial by media was not
dangerous enough, trial by social media is becoming hyper trend. Let us say
first and fact check later. The ability to comment on someone feeds our ego and
somehow makes our own miserable lives a little better. My shortcomings remain
private; rest of the universe is fair game.
And if just the
ability to recklessly air opinion is not enough, it has to be cruel too, just
for good measure. There has to be an extra grind. The cowardliness of hiding
behind a screen while slaughtering someone would have been amusing had it not
been so distasteful. The frustrations of our own lives can easily be projected
on someone else, without even having to face them. There is a great perversity in
this kind of confrontation. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on the
side where one stands, when the damage is being done, the party who has
initiated the assault is far away, shielded from any fallout that might have
come out of their words. The shots are fired in the dark, without any concern
for repercussions. Who it hits, how and when is not even an afterthought. If
everything goes well, it attracts popularity and if it backfires, it was
unintended.
The virtual world of
the internet has somewhat eroded the fact that ultimately, there are real
people at the other end too. People who feel, people whose lives and
livelihoods can be destroyed, people who can get demotivated or even outraged.
Thanks to Meenakshi Aggarwal for edits and inputs.
