Am I part of the problem?
I’ve heard it said that if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.
I saw recently that Apple has settled a class action lawsuit for not communicating well enough that they throttled performance on phones with old batteries. It seems a bit of stretch that this really hurt people and the settlement is likely just to avoid a long, expensive legal battle. Such suits seem to help lawyers more than claimants and are a blemish on American life (along with pharmaceutical ads). I have an eligible phone, but do I want to encourage such suits?
Social media is another potential problem. There is a lot of negativity and the platforms are engineered to suck you in and keep you there. Beyond the time we waste, the excessive screen can adversely impact our health.
I had been on Twitter for a while then realized it was a hate-fest. When the toxicity got to be too much for me, I took a break and decided not to go back. I eventually deleted my account so at least I don’t contribute to the problem.
The other platform I am on is Facebook. Their record on privacy is suspect and their ability to suck us in is a bit of a concern. Add in the hoax posts / fake news and it makes me want to delete my account. The challenge is twofold:
– Will I isolate myself if I leave a platform on which most people participate?
– Can a small business prosper without exposure on popular social media platforms?
What are you thoughts on whether small businesses need to be on FB? If not, how do you find local small businesses?
If there’s a problem that concerns you, what are you doing to be part of the solution?
Hopefully, my questions cause you to reflect on your own thinking, relationships or choices. Maybe I even inspire you to make positive changes.
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