In one of my classes we had to read a book called Walls: Travels Along the Barricades by Marcello Di Cintio. After reading we were asked in class what kind of walls do we have in our society and in the church. (Don't worry, the U.S./Mexican border wall made the book.)
I kept thinking about this question and things that that I may not have associated in the past as thus. The stories in the book from the walls in Belfast kept coming to mind. It took a bit but eventually I realized why; although not physical social media can create digital walls similar to ones found in the Ireland. As a medium there is a physical divide between the people on either side. A screen that despite connecting us can also make the people on the other side faceless. This isn't a new concept, many studies and comedians have explored the idea that having that bit of anonymity allows for people to say things they would be less likely to say face to face. In addition he plethora of "facts" and "experts" online allow for an individual to craft almost any narrative they desire with "evidence" to support it.
But what stood out to me is that instead of rocks or bottles, we sling words across. We give ultimatums and occasionally insulate ourselves from those hateful others by de-friending or debunking their thoughts with a vehemence. I suspect, much as the act of fighting back makes those along the walls feel better, so too do our angry posts serve to soothe the tension and frustration we feel.
I have a temper, I've always been a bit quick to fly off the handle, but I usually cool off pretty quickly. Over time my fuse has slowly been getting longer and I've come to realize that as good and therapeutic I find yelling, it can sometimes cause discomfort to those around me. In the last 10 years I've started watching others with tempers or who are yelling and I've noticed two things: 1) when you're a boss being prone to loud expressions of dislike can make people shut down and not want to talk with you. 2) Whether a cop or protestor, yelling at people rarely changes their mind about anything. (Note, this is an observation formed before recent events.)
No one really likes to be yelled at. It's often frowned upon in polite society and yet when it comes to social media unconstrained behavior becomes the norm. Angry words, thrown across a barrier of 1 and 0's.
Title translated using: https://www.convertbinary.com/text-to-binary/
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