Yes, you read that right.
The subject for this post came to me the other morning as I was looking up a “fact” I read on Facebook. I usually hit delete on incendiary posts, things that shock, mock, attack, or outright lie. But this one intrigued me. Instead of scrolling through the heated outrage listed in the comments, I took the time to actually look up the information being promoted.

You know what I knew about this particular post?
Um, not much. (Happens often.)
So, I Googled it.

I wondered why all the hubbub and persecution regarding this topic.
I have the power to look it up!
Now I know.
I am sympathetic, perhaps empathetic, most definitely knowledgeable, of the facts.
I am confident I could participate in a conversation regarding said topic without name-calling, swearing, or otherwise throwing shade.

Let’s admit it–
We spend a LOT of time on social media.
Reading, tweeting, liking, sharing, commenting, etc.
We are being influenced. We are influencing.
Time to take responsibility.

If you’re reading posts on social media, you’re probably online.
The next time you come across something that seems too good (or too bad) to be true, look it up. It probably is.

I wish people would stop sharing memes that propagate misinformation and hate.
Just because you want to believe it’s true, doesn’t make it true.
And to that I ask, why do you want it to be true?

I’ve noticed an uptick in positive posts in my feed lately.
Some days I laugh, I cry, I feel encouraged.
Is the social media world changing?
Becoming sympathetic, empathetic, more knowledgeable?
I’d like to believe we have that kind of power.