How we can improve the Internet
By Cazzy Lewchuk, Staff Writer
One of the great things about social networks is that they’re Internet hubs which are fully customizable for the user: you get a personalized feed of entertainment. You can see pictures of your cousin’s new baby, learn a friend’s thoughts on a new movie, or find out just who’s dating who. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and all the other social networks around excite the mind.
With that said, it’s important to post things that are actually entertaining. Facebook statuses are not personal diaries to rant about what a bad day you’re having. Seeing a friend’s angry updates about their awful experience with a phone company is annoying, depressing, and pointless. We all have difficulties with corporations, school, people, and the establishment. What does one accomplish by complaining about it online?
The same goes for sharing upsetting news articles. Yes, bad court rulings happen a lot. Yes, people get discriminated against. Bad social justice is everywhere, and it’s terrible; still, sharing a link on Facebook about something upsetting that happened in Texas doesn’t apply to anyone here, and there’s nothing we can do about it. Even if the injustice is local, sharing on Facebook usually leads to nothing more than one to several people complaining. If you’re seriously upset about something happening in the community, get involved. Do something that doesn’t involve being in front of a screen. Complaining does zilch.
Then of course there’s the universally hated process of subtly complaining, often known as “vaguebooking.” This is when someone posts something passive-aggressive and vague, usually very short, but obviously angry. It’ll say something like “UGH!” or “Some people…” Attempts to find out what’s wrong in comments (please don’t try this) either result in the user’s refusal to talk about it, or suggesting that the matter is private and that you should message them. Let me be clear: don’t vaguebook, and don’t encourage it, ever. It creates a nasty online environment for us all.
Then there are the boring posts. Not everything needs to be posted. Keep your song lyrics, descriptions of your exact location, and general ramblings about how your day is going to yourself. We go on our social networks to see interesting and meaningful content. There’s such a thing as posting too much, and if you don’t have anything to say, don’t. Start commenting or looking at other people’s posts more. Hopefully you can find something you like—there’s no shortage of posts out there.
Posting solid, meaningful, uplifting content on social networks helps everyone. It’ll make your posts more interesting, and friends and followers will actually view them. People who read them will be more entertained by them. You’ll probably even feel better yourself! Social media should not be a bathroom wall—it should be a stage at a talent show.
