This week, Charlie Kirk was killed in Orem UT by a 22 year old Washington UT man. Why?
Some will say he was indoctrinated by left-wing politics, some will say it was liberal professors, and some will blame gender ideology. Some will blame Donald Trump, and right wing politics.
None of that led a 22 year old to kill Mr. Kirk.
My grandparents lived (really lived) with neighbors, they gathered together weekly for scripture study groups even after the church stopped organizing the groups. Many people's grandparents were active members of civic organizations like the Kiwanis Club, and they were active. They went to parties, had fundraising projects, held meetings, and all of this was with liberals and conservatives. These organizations facilitated civil discourse, and it kept neighbors connected with one another.
Today, we are the most isolated generation in American history. We almost never actually have civil conversations with anyone outside your immediate family. We excuse social media as staying connected. This is a poor substitute for so many reasons, but one in particular is the most damaging problem with our nation.
Social media outlets have a profit motive to drive users to stay on their sites. One of the biggest tools is user algorithms. These mathematical models figure out what subjects keep you engaged, and keep you scrolling and clicking within the site. For all of us, outrage is one of those factors.
Once the algorithm figures out what makes you outraged, a river of rage igniting filth continues in your feed without end. The more rabbit holes you step in, the more intense rage inducing shite floods the stream of information on your social media feed. Your outrage is a commodity.
Social media is not a substitute for social interaction. American's need to stop hiding in their feeds, and they need to start talking face to face again.
I don't know how to facilitate a meaningful change is our society to get people to willingly gather in common purposes. I am a primary caregiver for two nonverbal autistic young men, and as such I work from home. I am a fairly isolated American male, but I do see how dangerous this is.
I need to take a first step. I need to start by actively engaging in my church calling. Next steps maybe joining a civic organizations. Hell, maybe the Freemason's would allow me a shot.
The point is that we need to be conservatives and liberals last, and fellow Americans first. Be wary of people in your social media feed who are outraged. If you want to talk politics, talk policy, not stereotypes. Lastly, we need to start rejecting politicians who drive rage and division and listen to politicians who have strong views, but also recognize the other side of the isle has Americans who may be conservative or liberal, rather than conservatives or liberals who happen to be American.
Just stop. Stop pointing fingers, and condemn those who do. Don't elect sycophants or lightning rods, and save your vote for Americans who believe in the greater good that our grandparents and great grandparents fought for.
