Let’s be honest, we all are on the Internet in one way or another.  We all read stories and have instant reactions.  My question to you is, do you believe all you read on the Internet?

When I was going to graduate school, I had to write a lot of papers.  It was a lesson learned there that has stuck with me.  Anyone can post anything they like on the Internet.  Unless there are references, what you are reading is most likely an opinion piece.  And you know as well as I do…Everyone has an opinion.

It is frustrating to me so see so many people on social media sharing stories that have little to no basis in fact.  People react and share.  They share their anger and disappointment.  They share their joy and their shock.  But when they find out that what they just shared is not true, do they go back and share that fact?  Or, do they just leave the incorrect post out there for more and more people to react and share?

I think that as citizens of the world we live in, we have a moral responsibility to share only what we know is true.  It is so easy to read an article and react.  Of course.  That is human nature.  I admit, I am guilty.  I react!  I get angry!  I get elated! I get sad!  I go through all of the feelings that one might when they read an article a “friend” has posted.  But after the initial feelings subside, I try to look for the truth of the story.  I research so that I know if my reactions are valid.  I want to know that I have found the truth of the story before I share with my friends and followers.  I want to be responsible for what I put out in the world.  I can’t honestly say that I have never shared a story that wasn’t true.  That would most definitely be untruthful.  However, I have gone back and deleted posts after I have found out that they were not correct or true.  Do you?  I really don’t want people to think of me as that person who posts all sorts of stories that aren’t true.

I once followed a person who was sharing all sorts of crazy articles.  This person was told time and time again by one after another follower that the articles were not true. However, this person actually commented that it was not important whether the articles were true or not.  What was important to this person was to incite as much anger as possible towards a person/situation.  I tried to explain why I thought that was a bad idea, but this person was terribly determined to incite anger over lies and made up stories.   This is something that should be abhorrent to us all!  To know that someone we know is trying to spread anger – I just don’t even know what to say except that we should all try to stand against this.

In a world of such volatility that we currently live in, why wouldn’t we all try to make sure we are not guilty of making it worse?  I mean honestly, where does that get us?  It can’t and won’t make our world a better place.  It just builds on the distrust that seems so prevalent these days.  Do you want to be that person that gets overlooked because you have proven to post untrue articles?  Do you want to be that person that people look at as a divisive personality?  Do you want to be that person that no one believes?  Do you want to be that person who is an example of what not to be?  I don’t!!

My hope is that when I post articles that people will read them, form opinions, and possibly have a meaningful discussion.  Whether they agree or disagree with my opinion, I hope that all of  my friends and followers can respect where my opinion comes from. I would hope that we are all adult enough to agree to disagree (I know – wishful thinking).  I am open for discussion on any topic.  That doesn’t mean I will change my mind, but I promise to have a civilized conversation or correspondence regarding whatever the topic.

What I would like to ask of all of you – one small thing – research before you post!  Realize that people will post things on the Internet for their own benefit.  It’s easy to Google anything.  If you see posts from multiple reliable sources with the same story, it would make sense that the story might have some truth.  However, if you find nothing on Google, chances are the story is not true.  Be responsible sharers!!

It’s just me and my opinion~

Have a great day!