I’m thinking a lot about current events in the Middle East, even if I don’t voice my specific thoughts online. I used to be very quick to shout, pick a side, and voice whatever amateur solution I could come up with on social media, but as I get older, the more I realise that one; nobody else really cares what I think, and two; online debate is incredibly detrimental to my happiness.
I like to think of opening an app. on my phone as if I am letting actual people into my home. Do I really want this person’s energy and opinion right now? Do I really need to talk about how I feel? Would my words lead to a productive conversation? When it comes to geopolitics and understanding our ever-in-flux world, there is immense value in being an educated observer, but I prefer to take my information from seasoned professionals, preferably, those who are on the ground and have skin in the game.
The voices of people on social media rarely illuminate anything new and from what I have seen in the last few days, generally are nothing more than coarse, whip-lash opinions. The question of Israel-Palestine generates an incredible amount of sharp emotion and bitter discourse from either side around the subject. Any discussion at a time like this should always be done in a sensitive manner if we want anything positive at all to arise from our discussing it. It is possible to be productive here, however, I am see very few who are willing to be patient enough for that.
It’s been mentally exhausting to scroll past so many insensitive and uninformed takes this week. The conjecture really gets to me. What’s playing out right now in the region is happening within perhaps the most incredibly complex and nuanced stage in all of world history. One simply should not passively or flippantly speak on such matters.
What strikes me most, is how geopolitical conflicts are instantly turned into a strange form of entertainment via modern technology and 24/7 internet connectivity. We all have a window into extreme violence and hateful rhetoric, from the comfort of our warm, safe homes and I don’t think enough people realise how bizarre that is. It creates a very weird sort of detachment that humanity did not experience prior to the advent of the instant flow of information.
You may think you know enough about a current event to make a meaningful comment because you saw something online, be it a video or a photograph, but the truth is, unless you are in the midst of it, have put in an extensive amount of time living in such a place, or are intimately connected to the situation through family or professionally, you really shouldn’t be commenting so ardently. We are ultimately free to speak how we wish online, but we ought to remember that the toll it takes on our mental and emotional well-being is serious. Part of the reason our world is so fractured and polarised politically is precisely because we don’t pull back more often. Repeatedly, many people who engage in online debate, fail to listen objectively to those with opposing ideas and opt to push their thoughts out there without any respect for others. As a society, we have forgotten how to take the high road, agree to disagree, and engage in respectable dialogue.
In my experience, there is very little opportunity for me to come out on the other side better for having said something because the rules of engagement on a platform like Twitter/X are so corrupted and many people are not willing to listen before giving a thoughtful reply. This is why I usually refrain from commentary. One thing earning a masters in International Relations taught me is that there are lot of “experts” out there at think thanks, with professional sounding titles who are just trying to be original or get noticed online any way possible…many are far off-base and should not be taken seriously. Avoid their hype at all costs.
Get your news from time-tested sources who have proven they place the dissemination of factfulness over flashy, noisy, attention grabbing techniques, edgy headlines or unhinged policy analysis. True growth comes from conducting mindful research (knowing where to get your information and how to apply it…), and sitting with what you have learned before speaking. Take time to really understand how you feel about the events which are unfolding and know in your heart, why. Learn how to not be affected by the opinions of political parties, think tanks, and the rest of the news media because even the slightest bias can impeded your intellectual journey.
Be able to listen to an opposing side and pick out possible pros, not just cons. Stop writing an idea off just because it came from a person or entity with a certain affiliation or reputation. Pragmatism and a diplomatic approach go a long way. Thinking independently is difficult these days because there is such an immense amount of content and commentary. You have to take the initiative to get offline for quiet reflection and when you are online, consume with digital literacy.
Take the 10,000 foot view. Think long-game, not just about being heard. Understand your values and motivation before entering the forum of debate. Doing these things makes the experience so much more worth-while and begets growth for everyone involved…maybe, even positive changes will start to occur.