The Cornerstone The Cornerstone February 2018 | Página 12

OP-ED
BY RYAN RUCKER
I
t seems a bit off-putting that at one of the most peaceful
and productive times in all of American history, the
United States is on edge. The present state of American
affairs have left many to feel forgotten, hated, and angry
despite the apparent prosperity.
Within the last decade or so, Americans have become
increasingly familiar with each other through the use of
social media. This newfound familiarity has led to not only
the greatest change in American history, but world history.
The ability to speak across the world to people instantly is a
revolutionary concept that has shaken the fabric of American
discourse. The internet has given an outlet for people to
share their opinions, which have the potential to be both
worthwhile and reprehensible.
Social media has allowed people to become invested in a
bubble and has turned otherwise sophisticated rational
discussions into a competition for the most likes. Provided
that people stay within their own bubble, they are relatively
safe in their own eyes and are able to outright avoid any
dissenting opinions. The structure of many social media
platforms blatantly encourages such behavior through
predictive algorithms.
The cultural shift has divided many by giving everyone
a voice. By giving everyone a voice, the extremes of the
political spectrum not only now have an outlet to express
themselves, but an outlet to communicate with one another
in an exchange of ideas. The internet giving everyone a voice
definitely is a net benefit, but the cost appears to be a small
group ruining the experience for others.
Americans have now reached a point where the free
exchange of ideas is available to most citizens on the
internet, but all of the productivity and potential for good
the internet could create has seemingly been squandered.
Instead, the potential of the internet has been wasted on
jokes and the promotion of a destructive narcissistic culture.
The wasted potential of the internet simply cannot be
overstated enough. Instead of wasting time on the internet,
imagine the productive goods and services that could be
created and the change it would bring.
12 Page Opinion
OUR VOICE
ON SOCIAL
MEDIA IS
SO LOUD
IT’S NOW
SILENT