IT'S a sensitive time we're living in. At least if you're BIG on social media-verse. For those whose daily existence is generally — and religiously — updated on their FB or Insta, and posts as mundane as a trip to the local grocers in search of that elusive avocado gets happily plastered for the world to see, there are hints to re-look at how — and what — we post.
And more so in view of the current disasters that have beset Malaysia — with floods and bad weather still continuing to ravage some parts of the country, and of course, the spectre of Covid and other ills still upon us.
The jury is still out on whether we should suppress our happiness and tone down those joyful pictures, and instead, practise some restraint in a show of "solidarity" for those still blanketed by bleakness.
What do you think? Find out what hosts Intan, Elena and Mus have to say in this week's episode!
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HAPPY BALANCE
Intan Maizura Ahmad Kamal, Editor and Host
"TAHU-LAH you're having a good time, tapi sensitive-lah sikit. Simpan dulu gambar-gambar happy tu (We know you're having a good time, but be sensitive. Just hold on to those happy pictures)!"
The wry caution, which popped up like an unwelcome indictment as I was scrolling through my FB feed recently, made me stop in my tracks. Somehow, it managed to strike a chord somewhere within me.
The collection of pictures which I'd mentally assembled in my mind ready to be unleashed for a series of postings of my memorable moments in George Town, Penang, where I'd gone for a much-needed break, suddenly didn't feel so appropriate.
For once, I, unashamedly an FB regular with my postings of my mundane daily existence, suddenly had "cold feet". "What if people think I'm insensitive?" "What if people think that I don't care about all those people suffering from the ravages of the flood?" "What if people think I'm…?"
Wait. A. Minute.
Since when did I care so much about what people thought regarding my social media postings? I mean, they're my private platforms. Surely, I should be able to put up anything I want? Right?
Errr, maybe wrong. Much as it's true that our platforms are our platforms (does that make sense?), I can understand that there may be a need for us to observe some kind of (social media) etiquette. If only for the simple reason of displaying some form of empathy for what's going on around us.
And in times of disaster or suffering, perhaps it's a good idea to temporarily tone down the colours of our rainbow a little bit. Just a little. And maybe practise the art of "staggering" our content!
That said, I'm in no way advocating that we should go completely "black". We're already living in such bleak times. But with so much of what we do on social media ending up being scrutinised, I guess bracing for brickbats should be a given.
If you're the sort that doesn't like to be "dictated" to, especially when it comes to your personal platforms, just continue in the same vein. After all, so much doom and gloom really does call for slivers of colours too, for a dash of respite. With the real world so dark these days, do we really need to blanket the digital landscape in sombre hues too?
DOSE OF POSITIVITY
Elena Koshy, Senior Writer and Host
TURN the pages of your newspaper or browse through your social media and chances are, you'll be flooded with more than enough (doom and gloom) reasons to be worried and angry about issues large and small.
There's plenty of wrong in the world, lots of injustice, and given the recent end-year calamity, too much suffering. The pandemic made that clear to even the most oblivious among us. The thing is, the suffering and pain isn't uniform.
Our journeys are different and the experiences, varied. For those who are better off, that might just provoke quite a bit of guilt. That isn't all — it also brings out the naysayers who tell us that to project cheerfulness and happy moments is to be irresponsible and insensitive to the world's problems.
How dare you post that family gathering on social media! Don't you know there were many who didn't get to enjoy a good Christmas at all? What? Are you happy? How dare you! You shouldn't be!
My take is simple, though. Why do we need to be unhappy? Our unhappiness, anger or depression about the world's ills won't make the world better. If you want to make the world a better place, chances are your sad posts or no posts on social media aren't going to do it. Go do some good in real life — donate, help, join a cause and make a difference.
There's really no need to suppress happiness and joy. We all need a good dose of positivity during this season. So yes, keep posting about puppies, happy moments, ice-cream, inspiring stories and blue skies — I love them all!
IS YOUR POST VALID?
Ahmad Mustaqim Nordin, Public Relations Executive, Guest Host
IT'S funny how one post can mean different things to different people. Including the one writing it. Just like communication, a lot can be lost in translation. In this digital age, what's written is generally read tonelessly through the screens and in our own voice.
We can write or post one thing but it can mean something else. While a post can show everyone what we're doing in a space of a minute or less, does it validate our true intentions?
The recent flood has inadvertently given rise to the issue of sensitivities on social media, namely whether it's right for people to be posting their "happy moments" online. Some claim we shouldn't be posting our usual happy content as a show of respect for the victims. Maybe. But I don't think it's wrong for us to share our memories with our loved ones.
I feel it boils down to the purpose of your social media. Some use their platforms as a medium to share memories, while others utilise them to bring awareness and for other purposes. We shouldn't condemn those who enjoy sharing memories in their private profiles.
I do agree that one post can make a difference. But why stop there?
Instead, why not go beyond that post by donating, lending a helping hand, and doing as much as we can to reduce the burdens of those suffering? I'd like to take this opportunity to extend my condolences to the victims of the flood.
IG: @ahmuseen (https://www.instagram.com/ahmuseen/)
