Social Media is Shrinking Our Minds

So,
I posted a click-bait blog on Instagram and Facebook today--Having A Baby, Pt. 2.The blog wasn't meant to mislead; however, I was curious to see how many people would congratulate me on my non-existent pregnancy before actually clicking the link and reading the post. I'm currently on a social media fast, so my friend T is posting for me when I feel like my blog could help somebody. I knew that the post had gone up because people we're blowing up my phone 🤣🤣🤣! It was comical, but it also proved my theory about social media and our quickness to run with information that is incorrect because of our unwillingness to dig deeper...or to click the link and read a few paragraphs (it really doesn't take that long....it's not like I had written a dissertation 🙄).

I had T go back to the post and add #NotPregnant in the caption so that the "congratulations" comments would slow down. It's amazing how you can lose an audience if you're asking them to take in anything over 140 characters or anything beyond a cute picture they could "like" while scrolling through their feeds. It's frightening, actually. And I'm not coming for anybody's social media spare-time habits, but there's something about our decreasing ability to take in information fully--to allow ourself to click the New York Times article and read it all the way through before commenting on what you think the article is about.

This is evident in the way breaking news travels on twitter--how purporting misinformation is becoming common, even amongst people who call themselves journalists.

Anyway, I digress. Thanks for the many "congratulations" though! I'll carry those with me into the future. 😆

Comments

"Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?"

Today (December 1st, 2020), Facebook reminded me that 5 years ago, I wrapped up a 5-week run of Ain't Misbehavin' at Portland Center Stage in Oregon, and flew back to New York City to re-enter my life there. I had just applied to seminary a few days before Thanksgiving and was excited about the possibility of leaning into this strong calling I felt to deepen my theological knowledge. I was still under the illusion that I'd be able to maintain some sort of performance career, so I kept my manager, Greg, and he'd continue sending me out on auditions. I was becoming very picky about what I'd say "yes" to-- Would I go on that national tour of Hamilton that he wanted to send me on or would I go to seminary? Would I leave to do a 9-month stint in After Midnight on an international cruise ship or would I go to seminary? That was the question over and over again. I decided that I'd still do local stuff in NYC or short stints in other cities. Even as I ente

Cracked Eggs, Nerf Guns, and the Murder of Karon Blake

Cracked Eggs, Nerf Guns, and the Murder of Karon Blake At the time of my writing this, I am sitting in my big chair, staring at my front window from inside the house, looking at the drippings that have stained the glass from the eggs that some neighborhood kids hurled at my window almost two weeks ago. They were mad at me (I suppose) because they came to steal another package off my front porch in December, but they did not know that it was a package I’d planted with a note inside. I had them on camera stealing several packages on my block during the winter break, including one of mine that contained dog food (I know they were disappointed when they opened that one up ha!). Instead of calling the police or posting their faces on the many neighborhood apps, I decided to take an old amazon box, place a note inside, retape it and leave it on the porch. The note read: “God loves you. I care about you. Stop stealing packages. -Pastor Mac.” I wanted these 3 kids who look like they ar

Why I Quit Church...

On Sunday I quit church... for the day, at least. It was the most beautiful and painfully passionate act of self-care I've ever done. Hi. My name is Mia, and I live with an anxiety disorder. It's 4:30 on Sunday morning. My first alarm intrudes on the three hours of sleep I've managed to acquire. I begrudgingly assess the state of my vocal cords and decide whether or not they are well enough for me to sleep another thirty minutes. I hit snooze. Minutes later, my second alarm assaults my rem cycle. I pimp-slap my iPhone and decide whether or not I'm going to steam (a process in which I stand over a pot of boiling water for fifteen minutes to lubricate my cords). I, instead, opt for the less time consuming process of making tea, buying me an extra fifteen minutes of sleep. at 5:15, my third and final alarm goes off. I roll out of bed and into the shower. As I lather, I do minor vocal warm-ups and meditate. It's 6:05. I'm clothed, tea is made, hair is done,

God and Wine

Search This Blog