WINDOW SEAT | Weekly column in English | 6.2.22.

 

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee |6.2.22

The flip-side of Social Media

Recently I spoke on the perils of Social Media at a symposium. I tried to flag some of the concerns that dense use of social media has raised. One of the major concerns is: social media is gradually acquiring the power not only to replace the physical with the virtual but also erasing the sense of the difference between the two.

For example, social media is slowly killing real activism and replacing it with what could be termed as ‘slacktivism’

While social media activism brings an increased awareness about societal issues, questions remain as to whether this awareness is translating into real change at the ground level. Some argue that social sharing has encouraged people to use computers and mobile phones to express their concerns on social issues without actually having to engage actively with the issues in real life. Their support is limited to pressing the ‘Like’ button or sharing content.

This passivity is a very human reaction when people are given options that absolve them from the responsibility to act. A 2013 study by the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business found that when people are presented with the option of ‘liking’ a social cause, they use this to opt-out of actually committing time and money to a charitable cause. On the other hand, when people are allowed to show support in private, they are more likely to offer meaningful support by making a financial contribution.

The researchers found that a public endorsement is meant to satisfy others’ opinions, whereas people who give in private do so because the cause is aligned to their values. Consider the massive support ‘India against Corruption’ campaign generated online. But it did not show in real life.

Because on social media one does not have to actually ‘do’ anything in social issues, but can be perceived to be doing something worthwhile- it creates a mental short-cut to satisfaction of having done something. A fake and false satisfaction. This ‘fake and false’ notion gradually clouds one’s real self. And ironically the person will gradually lose sense of his own real self. He/she will be completely immersed in self-created ‘maya’.

Corruption

Corruption levels are at a worldwide standstill. As per the Berlin based Transparency International’s (TI) annual corruption index 2021 most of the world scores poorly. Many countries that were relatively more corruption-free have slided down the index table.

Using the assessments of business pundits and analysts, including figures from the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, the NGO scores countries from 0 to 100 based on perceptions of corruption in the public sector, with 100 indicating a clean record. In the latest ranking, released on January 25th, almost 70% of countries score below 50. Poor countries tend to do worse than rich ones, partly because poverty makes corruption worse and partly because corruption makes poverty worse. The average score in sub-Saharan Africa is 33, the lowest for any region. In Western Europe it is 66. Denmark, Finland and New Zealand with 88 scores each occupy the first three positions, while South Sudan (score:11), Syria (13) and Somalia (13) are at the bottom. India (score:40) is at 85^th position, below Burkina Faso (78) and China (66) while Pakistan (28) is at 140^th and Bangladesh(26), is at 147^th place.

Some high-scoring democracies showed “significant deterioration” over the past year too—so much so that America dropped out of the 25 least corrupt countries for the first time.

Poor countries, especially those in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, are singled out for the bad behaviour of their governments. However, the report also notes that the companies based in rich countries often facilitate corruption abroad. 

Tailpiece : Spelling and Auto-correct

I hate the ‘auto-correct’ function in the computer. Every time I write my name ‘Mrinal’ it turns into ‘Urinal’ making me look like a ..well… But worse happened to my friend Nabaghan, who was careless about the spelling of English words.

He went on a family vacation with in-laws to beaches of Goa. As is the custom these days he posted a beautiful picture of his wife and Mother-in-Law on Facebook. It appeared as ‘Bitches of Goa’.

His wife has filed a divorce case.

Tailpiece 2 : Irony of life

The Lawyer hopes you get into trouble.

The Doctor hopes you get sick.

The Police hopes you become a criminal, 

The Teacher hopes you are born stupid.

The Landlord hopes you don't buy a House.

The Dentist hopes our tooth decays

The Mechanic hopes your cars breakdown, 

The Coffin Maker wants you dead.

Only a Thief wishes your prosperity in life and also wishes you have a sound sleep.

 

So the thief goes to heaven

(Courtesy: Social Media) 

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This column is published every Sunday in Sikkim Express and www.prameyanews.in

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