If We All Withdraw from Social Media Venues

[MineralMan]

We lose our opportunity to counter those on the right who post incessantly on them. We have a responsibility to spread progressive and liberal ideas, it seems to me. If we simply disregard right-wing points of view without countering them, we hold up the white flag of surrender, it seems to me.

Every social media venue I know of that has broad reach is actively used by the right to spread its ideology. Simply abandoning the opportunity to correct false information does nothing to advance our causes.

That's my alternative viewpoint on Facebook, Twitter, and other major social media sites.

[Thekaspervote]

1. You have a point... but 2 things, when the platform espec fb is weighted unfairly towards the rt

You can’t even begin to counter it

Secondly, Every time one posts against a view the original view is carried with it, further pushing those fanatical ideas into the stratosphere

[MineralMan]

2. Nevertheless, if you're not there, you can't counter anything.

Seems simple enough to me.

[Johnny2X2X]

5. Countering is muted at best

Facebook's follow/unfollow feature mutes dissent there. Anyone who disagrees with you, probably isn't seeing your posts at all even if they're still on your friends list. So Facebook is really just 95% preaching to the choir. The most good I think I've done there the last year is convincing a few Bernie voters to support Joe Biden.

[MineralMan]

8. I use Facebook's Hide feature all the time to block right-wingers

who constantly post offensive materials. However, I am careful with my own posts not to be personally offensive, but rather to counter incorrect information. People don't hide me, because I post carefully and accurately.

What you say does not change the fact that if we are not there, we cannot counter anything. That is the paramount issue, I think. We need to speak up and speak out. If we abandon our opportunities to do that, our chances of losing increase.

Think of Jeff Tiedrich, a person we all admire for his counter Tweets to Trump's tweets. If he were not using Twitter, there would be no Jeff Tiedrich tweets for us to retweet and post elsewhere.

Silence does not inform nor does it influence.

[coti]

3. Of course, that also financially strengthens the venues that refuse to acknowledge their

responsibility to democracy.

[MineralMan]

4. Does it? I pay nothing to participate in any of them.

I also do not click ads. I'm not adding to those venues' finances at all. And yet, I can contribute my ideas on all of them.

If we want progressive ideas to be implemented, we have to promote those ideas where people gather. If we are not there, we cannot promote.

The right understands the power of consistent and ever-present messaging. If we abandon social media, the right wins. It's very simple.

Look at Jeff Tiedrich for an example of consistency in countering Trump's tweets. If he were not doing that, we would not know his name. But, he is doing that, so his Tweets are spread far and wide.

[coti]

10. Yes. nt

[Thekaspervote]

7. Correct!

[dreamland]

6. Social media is a outlet for a lot of people

I personally prefer to use Facebook to make a point of educating some of the conservative hypocrisy by posting contrary memes. I tire of seeing brag posts of some fancy place visited or some incredible meal they just ate. But I get it, people need to show off. They need the show us how well they are doing with expensive vacations, expensive dinners, new car, new clothes. I'm just sorry to see that is what they think will give value to their lives. But I don't negate social media, because how else will I know if someone needs my help or teach me something. So long as there is an audience, social media will always be there.

[MineralMan]

9. Yes it is, and countless millions of people

use it daily. I'm not particularly interested in complaining about what people post on social media venues. Instead, I concentrate on what I post. I let others do as they wish, so i can do as I wish. I use the Hide feature on those who are just noxious.

I don't post memes. I post my own thoughts and facts that refute falsehoods.

[customerserviceguy]

11. Well put.

Me, I don't post anything but innocuous stuff on Facebook, and don't have any accounts on other so-called social media, but your points are well made.

[DBoon]

12. Agreed

We drop off, the platforms will notice a slight dip in membership and traffic, but nothing severe enough to affect their business.

We stay on and make our voices heard, we can be a real nuisance.

We should not only try to counter right wing views, we should also use the platforms to counter their right wing bias (Facebook, I mean you).

[Celerity]

13. this Zennial says FUCK FACEBOOK! It is a giant tool used by Fuckerberg to drive over 100 billion USD

(in a couple years it quite likely will be up to 200 billion USD or more) into his pockets and also aid and abet the RW to cling to power and help destroy the nation.

I so tire of these defend Shitbook posts. Do you own stock in it or something? (that question is directed at everyone who defends the POS service.)

You are lucky if you change 1 in a 1000 peoples minds. Even if you smack down a troll's flat out lie that will never fundamentally change the other fuckers' minds. Posting something in reaction to a RW positing on Shitbook or Twitter is not 'countering'. Its called being pwned. Why pwned? Because you are hating the playa and not the game. You keep playing the game, and the house named Fuckbook always will win until you toss it in the bin for good.

[Thekaspervote]

15. Thank you!! A voice of sanity

Those that use FB and think they are not adding to his wealth need to inform themselves about usage and how clicks work. Even when not clicking on ads you are generating income

[MineralMan]

17. LOL!

Really.

[maxsolomon]

14. It carries a cost - to your mental health

Engaging with the worst thinkers America and Russia have to offer to little effect.

Most of the time, I just block the page my Trumpist relatives share rather than beat my head against a brick wall.

[Thekaspervote]

16. +1000

[electric_blue68]

18. Yes to Original Poster and to Zenial...

I use FB
1) To stay in touch with out of town friends and family, even internationally
2) We share fun/funny (animals, and funny incongruous stuff), beautiful and wonderous images of Nature, and Human Creativity, good and educational materials, celebrations, and commiserations.
3) I get informational notices on fun, beautiful, educational, and justice related things
4) I learn new Artistic, and Craft approaches, nuances on things I know already.

I am 67. Right now I go out 5% of the time. Now that NYC is in stage 1 opening I will go out to a park/garden or distance meet up w family and friends on occasion.
This still is a 85% Reduction in my usual activities. It will be like this for another 12 - maybe?18 Months! I also have a couple of younger early to late GenX's with Pre-existing Conditions that makes them extra susceptible to worse cov19 outcomes.

So - since you are on this DU site I assume you are cogent and involved in some form of BLM engagement.
If you happen to be black then of course you are LWB-
you right now (esp if you wear a mask, and social distance) have Age Privilege. Unless you have a susceptible Pre-existing Condition - which I hope you
don't have.

So I am not giving up my digital freedom to connect, learn, have fun, and give comfort to the people I know, and those I newly meet.

[treestar]

19. Right wingers never tire of repeating themselves

over and over.