Have you noticed the abundance of filters on Instagram? When applied to a picture, filters can make it look vintage or create super-saturated colors. You can change the focus of the image to another part of the photograph. Filters modify the story.
Dos and Don’ts: Lessons from Childhood
As a child, we learn to filter. If you are over the age of 25 or 30, you probably grew up like I did. My mother was insistent on a few rules.
- Always say please and thank you
- Do not chew with your mouth open and keep your elbows off the table
- Address elders with the utmost respect – yes sir, no sir, yes m’am, no m’am
- In the words of Thumper “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.”
Most importantly there are things you just never talk about in polite company:
- Politics, religion and sex
Hence the lesson in filters. Barry Popik notes on his website that as early as 1840, it was cited in print that one would “never discuss religion or politics with those who hold opinions opposite to yours” and “Do not discuss politics or religion in general company” since 1879.
Dos and Don’ts: Lessons for Adulthood
Fast-forward to today. Technology has created a podium for us to voice our opinions. We think that our Facebook posts, Instagram photos, and tweets are our own. Most people treat these forums as a no holds bar to say everything that is on their mind; most of the time without thinking “would I say this in a public setting, or to my mother, or boss, or child?”
In Microsoft’s video “What does your online image project about you?” it illustrates some pretty staggering statistics about social media.
source: Microsoft
Most of us fail to realize that the technological podium before us comes with social responsibility. I’m not talking about the obvious reasons to be responsible, as the growing number of employers wanting to see your social network. (For information on that, I suggest you visit the ACLU’s website and read what they have to say about this subject.) I’m talking about the entire reason for social media – being social.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Find out What it Means to Me & You
Over the past few years, I have learned more about people than I ever wanted to know. I have family members who air out their dirty laundry on Facebook. I have old co-workers who repost things without checking if they are true. In the last year, this has gotten worse. There is a constant bombardment of politics, religion and sex on my social media feeds. And in my opinion, these showcase the worst parts of social media. Each time I see one of these posts I ask myself if I know these friends or family members.
Is this a person I would associate with now seeing this side of their personality?
In some instances, although our opinions differ, I respect their views and value their insight. In other cases, I realize that I would never want to associate with this person on a social level. Reading their posts do not make me happy or feel closer to them. So with that, I’ve used the most important features on social media – my own filter. Whether that is through reporting posts, unfriending people or simply hiding posts, I choose the filter that is right for me.
How about you? Do you think before you post? When was the last time you edited your friend list? I’m curious if you’ve seen an uptick in the last year like I have. Do you hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil?
ICYMI
Sherry Turkle writes on the “subjective side” of people’s relationships with technology, especially computers. I found this article about reclaiming the art of conversation and thought it was really interesting. Maybe you will too.
Maria P Cagliola says
Julie – I thought this was well written and the tie into the filter was a good one! I really liked the use of a video – would not have thought of that and the last image was really great!