Spend Time With Family and Friends

Social media platforms such as Snap Chat, Facebook and Tik Tok have become quite the "rage" for people of all ages. Kids as young as 12 and even a smattering or two of younger ones, as well as adults of all ages with the majority sitting between the ages of 27 and 42 (according to eMarketer any way). If I were to guess, I would say it is more like 18 to in the 60s for adult users.

Now enters AI (artificial intelligence) with a popularity soaring every day.

But, are these fads a positive or a negative on our world?

Social media makes it much easier to keep up with friends and family and even at times to know what is happening in our world. That, I would say is a positive. We have become so busy that sometimes that is the only communication we have with those we care about.

AI has opened up even more possibilities including ways to perform a variety of advanced tasks having to do with data, understanding different languages or providing a helpful suggestion or two.

But with all things - there is a downside.

Social media has made it very easy and quick to type and send our thoughts whether they be positive or negative. It has become a tool not only of good communication, but also of very bad. It has torn friends and family apart, and made it "easier" for us to speak our minds in whatever way we wish. With one little touch of a button we can block someone from having any communication with us at all or slightly less harsh - simply "unfriend" them.

Result? Friends and families can be torn apart and the deep cuts and chasms left in the wake of that one little action can be difficult if not impossible to repair.

Misunderstandings can suddenly be turned in to a knife that cuts so deep - relationships are not able to be repaired. Someone didn't "like" or comment on your post - oh dear, they must be mad at you or no longer care. They post something just because they agree with what it said? Suddenly it is believed their world must be falling apart or maybe the post is directed at the one reading it. When in reality, they merely "liked what it said" or thought someone else might be going through something and need to read it. We are too quick to judge why someone merely posts a meme.

AI has caused many to trust or distrust things and people that simply aren't true or even real. There really should be a watermark of sorts on anything created in AI so that those viewing it can tell if it is a "true picture" of what is or has occurred. One day AI may be used to make us all think the world is coming to an end - or maybe it is. How shall we ever know for certain?

It has become way too easy to post immediately whatever we are feeling or doing or even what John and Jane Doe are doing down the street. And guess what? Now there are "journalists" or "pod casters" out there stirring the controversial pots even more. Don't get me wrong - some of what they are doing is helpful and may even be necessary. However, when you have someone who is making stuff up as they go, who is being rude, bullying etc. - they aren't doing what they are doing for you. They are doing it for the pay they get from the "clicks".

Unfortunately, it is human nature. One thing I know for sure after being in the media for 40 plus years - it is human nature for people to want to know who died, who was born, who is in trouble and who is on the go. Anyone who claims they don't care what someone else is doing or has done is lying to you or even maybe to themselves. We all are curious. We all have an opinion regarding things that happen and a self proclaimed "need to know".

And guess what? That's okay.

Where it is not okay is when our opinions are turned into bullying, lies are spread, and controversy becomes more important than good old basic facts and truth.

I know so many say they are tired of hearing "how it used to be" or "in my day"... I would argue there are things we should be able to learn from our past and yes, even some things which should still be practiced from those times that came before.

Friends and family relationships should be more valued and cherished over how many "clicks" or "likes" someone can get because they posted something controversial and/or filled with controversy.

It is easy and quick to post a hello, but it is much more personal to write a note, a letter, make a call or even go for a visit. Those are the moments to be cherished and remembered.

Technology is great - in its place.  But like everything in this big old world of ours - too much of a good thing is too much. If not used with care it can be detrimental and even down right crushing.

Communication is key in so many ways. If there is a misunderstanding - make that call. Go for that in person visit. Relationships are vital in this old world. No matter how much someone says they don't need anyone - in reality we all need someone. Cherish your relationships. Don't let the sun go down on your anger or that misunderstanding.

And technology? It's great! In its place. But don't let it take over your world so completely that everything else suddenly becomes unimportant. Limit your time using it and spend more time actually going back to the "old ways" of building relationships.

Spend time with family and friends - they give much better hugs than tech ever can.