Watch your online tongue and tone
One of the greatest minds ever to live on this planet, Albert Einstein, is often quoted as having said he feared the day when mankind’s technology surpasses its humanity.
While the source and authenticity of the anecdote is debatable, there is something about the concept that resonates with truth.
This is particularly so in the realm of social interaction, as we have witnessed a gigantic change in mass communication.
Today, even children know how to operate a cell phone, send messages and even enter the online world.
Social media is an incredible phenomenon, with the amazing ability to connect people over continents and time zones, and to access useful information.
It is also of huge comfort to the elderly, allowing them to still remain part of the greater community.
It’s a great advertising tool, and a good way to mobilise communities to participate in worthy causes such as charity fund-raising and anti-crime groups.
Yes, the advances in technology have been astounding – and who knows what exciting advances lie ahead?
However, everything mankind has created for a good and useful purpose has been abused and used for a negative reason, or with a negative attitude.
This newspaper is among many publications, businesses and even individuals who spend a large part of each day having to delete comments that are illegal, immoral, libellous, crude, unjust and unkind.
Free speech, and the platform to voice an opinion, are important rights and should be encouraged.
It is right to challenge what is wrong and harmful in society, and especially to show a better way to handle issues and problem areas.
But some people appear to simply be hell-bent on stirring trouble, uttering obscenities and creating division at every opportunity, without offering any useful alternative suggestion.
They criticise, condemn and judge any person who does not share their one-sided view of the world; and they are not afraid to do so with abandon – seemingly unaware that they could be subject to legal action.
Any person who has a valid or fair comment to make can back this with sound argument and logic, without having to resort to foul or defamatory language.
The levels of unkindness reflected on social media seem to justify the fears that the technology has exceeded our humanity.
One can be firm and uncompromising without being obnoxious and cruel.
Let’s not be the one whose post has to be deleted because it is offensive and divisive.