I feel like I need to start this blog with a disclaimer. That I am very firmly in support of vaccination. That I, myself, am fully vaccinated.
And isn't it worrying these days that before we speak, we feel like we need to preface what we’re about to say for fear of being cancelled? For fear of our words being misconstrued, taken out of context, used as a weapon against us?
In the last 2 days I watched, almost in reality TV like fashion (the irony that these are both ex reality TV stars is not lost on me), as influencer/podcaster Abby Chatfield publicly ‘called out’ another influencer (Samuel Levi) for sharing a cryptic instagram post 'You don't need to be a conspiracy theorist to know that something ain't f**king right'. It was this slightly bizarre post that led Abby, and many of his followers, to interpret as his support for anti-vaxxers.
Like in all things social, the response was swift and severe. “I'm going to rip you to shreds on my podcast tomorrow…” Abbie began in her messages to Samuel, which she shared to her Instagram stories.
I’ve written in length about the fact that I believe the government could be doing more to utilise social media to drive vaccine adoption and help alay vaccine hesitancy. I'm firmly supportive of using people of influence - whether these be local community leaders, celebrities, medical professionals, ‘influencers’, or athletes, to help strategically and systematically disseminate content that moves us closer to our goal - a fully vaccinated Australia that can reopen, and start to rebuild our economy.
But what I’m not in support of is public vilification. Of people using their profile or following to make others feel ‘less than’ or marginalised for having a different view. You know what doesn't bring people closer to the centre? Make them change their mind about something? Shame. Making them feel unsafe to share their concerns or questions. I think any expert on radicalisation of any kind, whether it be political, religious, or otherwise, will attest to that.
And we all know that the currency we pay for for social media being free, is our attention. Our data. And that unfortunately what that means is content that is shocking, sparks a reaction, performs and is served up to us by the algorithms as something that is ‘high performing’. Just open twitter and take a stroll through the streams of vitriol to get the endorphins pumping each morning.
I think we are also all coming to understand that the algorithms create ‘filter bubbles’ and hamper our ability to make balanced decisions. Filter bubbles create echo chambers. And a thriving democracy requires citizens to see things from one another’s point of view, but instead we’re more and more enclosed in our own self perpetuating bubble. It also requires a reliance on shared facts - yet we’re being offered parallel but separate universes. Don't get me started on the role of mainstream media, troll farms in all of this...
I believe inherently people are good, and that Abby’s actions came from a good, if slightly short sighted place. I'm sure, like many of us, she’s frustrated with another round of lockdowns. That she’s suffered lost commercial opportunities during this time, and the very real emotional toll of being seperated from friends, family, loved ones. I'm sure her goal was to stop the spread of disinformation about vaccines. Which is something I wholeheartedly support.
But as my mother always said to us growing up, “your mood should not dictate your manners”.
So, how can we help start a respectful dialogue with people who might be concerned about masking, or getting vaccinated?
Firstly, how about we tone down the outrage. I’ve written before about my concern about our shift to such an ‘angry’ state. It’s hard to listen or respond effectively when you’re seeing red & planning the way you’re going to ‘rip someone to shreds’ on the next day's podcast.
Secondly, try to make your criticisms constructive rather than carping. I'm a big fan of twitters new feature giving you a ‘nudge’ to reconsider if you’re about to share something toxic. What is going to move you closer to our goal of changed behaviour or opinion in this person? I can nearly guarantee you that belittling or derogatory criticism won't achieve it.
Thirdly, champion the good. When you find something on social media that you consider exemplary, be free with your praise. Let’s reward the good and factual reporting or content, not just seek to contribute to vitriol around the bad.
I don't know how we got here, and I don't know how we will solve it permanently. But I know for sure, that losing our empathy isn't it.
