The collapse of history

I have noticed a trend in our society towards using cherry picked “facts” as bats to bludgeon people with.

Social media has a lot to answer for.

We (I) have become really reactive.

Jumping to conclusions about people.

Construing things through the most negative possible lens.

I have been guilty of this too.

Our society is complex.

History is complex.

Looking at things through any particular lens might be valuable to add to the sum of human knowledge - but isn’t an end in itself.

If we aren’t using the lens consciously as a tool then it is an impediment to sight.

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calicuz · 56-60, M

Exactly. With a great tool like the internet at our fingertips, many still choose to simply repeat what they hear and follow blindly, instead of finding valuable information and drawing their own conclusions.

SW-User

@calicuz truth! We are incredibly lucky to have so much knowledge at our fingertips.

I think part of the problem may be information fatigue and also it is so easy to race for a confirmation of our beliefs rather than take the time to thoroughly explore an issue from different perspectives - which I believe we used to be better at. Opinions of vastly different quality - in terms of the purpose of the communication and the amount of thought and research that has gone into it - can create equal amounts of internet “noise”

SteelHands · 61-69, M

@calicuz search engines are partly to blame since they emphasize personal. Interest data collection for commercial sales, then they personalize search rankings tailored to each individual as if people are incapable of shifting interests or intellectual growth.

There's a few that think the internet is a vast wasteland of bots, algorithms and assorted people who suk at life.

Maybe they're right.

calicuz · 56-60, M

@SW-User @SteelHands

I agree with both of you.
I HAVE found myself becoming exhausted in searching a subject, but find myself coming to a point of taking a break and picking up again later.
I think people need to LEARN to search for information, and not just give up so easily.
I mean, on any given search there are several pages that the browser comes up with, and few people probably go past the first one.