Stacey Seaside

How have people become so damaged and out right mean in modern society?

In person it is terrible.

Online it seems to be growing worse.

Dare I say that the “Enabler-in-Chief” has been responsible for making it acceptable. The year 2016 flipped the world. If POTUS can be a bully, both in person and online, making rude, cruel remarks, he sets the example.

With the 45th and 47th setting new lows, his presence in the Oval Office is an incubator for nastiness. Online with snide remarks on social media or in person, welcome to the new normal of no civility.

Why is it so prevalent?

More people are online using social media than ever before.

Social media algorithms often prioritize engagement. Negative or controversial content tends to generate more reactions. This creates a cycle of outrage that rewards extreme and combative behavior.

Political, social, and cultural polarization has intensified in recent years. Divisive issues often lead to heated and hostile online debates.

During the last few weeks I watched two women target another woman.

They have continued to post “remarks” about the topic the three had when an issue of policy was questioned.

I am not talking about 13-year-old girls here.

I am talking about 50 something professional women who are supposed to be leading and empowering women.

They are making sport on their social media pages.

Why?

Who benefits from this?

What type of role model are you?

Especially when you pay so much lip service to supporting other women?

Cruel, ironic social media posts are not criminal.

But they are unattractive and are very telling.

These posts demonstrate a lack of compassion and empathy.

Often the victim has no voice or means to fight back against the open cruelty.

Can we change these individuals?

Probably not without plenty of psychotherapy.

On platforms like social media, controversial or aggressive statements often get more attention, whether through likes, shares, or comments. This validation can encourage people to continue engaging in negative behavior.

I am not a trained clinician to treat individuals suffering from these psychosis.

I can only call out the behavior when I am witness to it.

And, for my own peace, I choose to distance myself from these individuals.

“Is it me she is talking about,”

because you never put your phone down?

Perhaps you are constantly scrolling for glory and recognition in social media?

Well then, yes, it is you I am talking about.

Especially if you are checking reactions to your most recent post.

Message me.

I will be happy to share with you a nice helping of the cruelty you have been dishing out.

Being nasty is a nasty business.

Eventually Karma will seek you out and find ways to hurt you.

And you will cry victim–forgetting your cruelty to others.

Cultivating empathy and compassion is a powerful way to enhance your relationships, understand others, and contribute positively to the world.

I have been highly involved with volunteer organizations because they have:

1.Given me an opportunity to spend time with people who demonstrate compassion and kindness.

2. Forced me to reflect on automatic judgments and consider alternative perspectives by attempting to understand people more deeply.

3. Shown me how to be more aware of your own emotions and those of others. It allows me to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.

4.Made me, pause and think, “How would I feel if I were in their place?” When someone shares their struggles I have to consider how their life experiences might shape their reactions or beliefs.

5. Grown my empathy by taking an active interest in the experiences and emotions of people around me.

Unfortunately, being highly involved with volunteer organizations requires your presence on social media. And also, living in a small community gives you access to information and people who not on local media outlets.

I remain “ON” because I promote events. My non-profits need social media. And of course this blog needs social media to help you arrive here.

Walking away is not a solution.

But asking my community members to be civil and polite to everyone is something I am requesting.

Being respectful to all does not lessen us.

Especially when they are not respectful to us.

We lead by example.

Show me “your good” not “your bad.”

Show me that you are truly concerned about others by your behaviors and your actions.

Demonstrate your empathy by respecting everyone.

As we proceed into 2025 I hope you find empathetic and respectful people on your journey.