I have posted the following (in a similar version) on all of my social media:
“Opinions I express here are my own! Reposts, likes, etc., don’t imply my support. Think for yourself.”
We are often “caught up” in internet conversations with a limited toolset to use for communication. Limited characters, limited time, limited expressive emojis, and limited modes of communication each create a set of barriers to communication that keep us from fully fleshing out the posts that we make on social media.
Barrier 1: We forget to speak to individuals. In a face-to-face world, we have a limited number of friends, relatives, or family members with whom we are willing to share our intimate thoughts, fears, and loves. These individuals know not only what we say but often what we believe.
Barrier 2: Many of us are reactive communicators who respond quickly, but often in a not always fully matured manner. Immediacy is a part of our social media conversation, in the manner of a conversation rather than a position paper. Communication is incomplete by design.
Barrier 3: The first draft is not always the best version of the thought post. Communication immediacy is almost always directly opposed to a nuanced discussion.
Barrier 4: We post on our own public social media pages with a wide range of friends, followers, and the public. “You can’t please everyone, so you’ve got to please yourself.” You have control of what you are thinking but cannot know what the reader interprets when reading it – nor are you responsible for their interpretation.
Barrier 5: Discussion and arguments escalate at a maximum speed on the internet that occurs seldom during face-to-face conversations. Face-to-face conversations facilitate compromise in a personal way that can not be accomplished online. All too often, we depersonalize online posts and comments.
These five barriers are presented as a sample of universal communication barriers to social media.
What does this mean?
To the best of my ability, I try to express my opinions clearly on social media pages. You may be unable to fully interpret these opinions if you and I have not spent significant constructive time together communicating about a particular issue.
There are many opinions on politics that I do not fully explain in my social media posts.
There are many opinions on learning that I do not fully explain in each of my social media posts.
There are many opinions on information science that I do not fully explain in each of my social media posts.
There are many opinions on self-defense that I do not fully explain in my social media posts.
There are many opinions on the Constitution and Bill of Rights that I do not fully explain in my social media posts.
There are many opinions on more coffee and less hate that I do not fully explain in each of my social media posts.
Many different friends/followers groups comment on my social media posts. Their opinions are not my opinions. In 99.9% of the cases, I do not remove opinions – I will continue to support their ability to express themselves.
I base my opinions on the best knowledge of a subject at the time that I’m communicating. You might not know my education, training, or knowledge on the subject. I try to seldom comment on issues where I am ignorant. Again, the abovementioned barriers limit our ability to communicate entirely through social media.
My opinions change over time. Beliefs of the past are not indicative of my beliefs of today (yesterday and today are very different).
I often repost memes, videos, and posts from others. These reposts are not indicative of my support of another’s opinions. Given the limited ability to communicate via social media, there is a broader context for all of the reposts that may not be clear.
I often “like” posts from people and groups I follow. These reposts are not indicative of my support of another’s opinion. There is a broader context for all of the reposts that may not be clear, with a limited ability to communicate entirely through social media.
I believe that everyone has a vast and almost unlimited right to post their opinion. I may “like” many things that I adamantly disagree with based on what is expressed in a particular post. However, I support the broadcast of their views.
Public expressions of beliefs, ideas, and opinions are essential, and they should not be suppressed – we move forward through ideas and discussions.
Yes, I will argue opinions with others – even with myself. I’m a scholar.
“To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear,
to inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of the scholar.”
– Samuel Johnson
Dr. Jeff M. Allen 