I need to make a decision, and I also need to explain it.

I personally don’t enjoy social media. I also don’t like debating politics in this divisive age. And I truly don’t like the combination of the two, especially when it comes to the practices and policies of the platforms that feed all of us our daily information.

Now if you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know my thoughts on the two party system of governance here in the states and our absolute love of our corporate overlords. I am a human-first, corporation last, maybe we should all lift this boat together kind of guy.

I don’t preach it, because I think that to put your beliefs onto others who do not want to hear them is rude and unacceptable. Just keep your imaginary friends and your morality laws to yourself and we can stay friends.

But the explosion of social media has changed all of that.

There are those that believe that “Freedom of Speech” includes anything you want to say and do, and it always trumps over any lies you want to throw into the mix.

And then there is the camp that believes that the lies and cries of false atrocities will take us back to a false and protected tribal society, and that those who engage in such business have no empathy for humans … instead choosing greed and power by abusing their relationships with others.

I am in camp two, by the way.

So when I read that Meta is going to bow down to the whims of the incoming administration and eliminate fact checking and moderation, leaving their platforms wallowing like yet another wild wild west saloon (think Twitter), I need to ponder the morality of my usage of those platforms.

Now this is NOT about cancel culture. It is about my ability to sleep without guilt at night.

You see, I don’t use social media for personal purposes. I only use it to promote my channel and my brand. But I left Twitter last year because the platform became almost entirely meaningless in connecting with people and sharing my story and adventures.

Will Facebook and Instagram do the same? It certainly sounds like it. If I continue to use these platforms to self-promote, knowing that they are actively misleading and creating chaos everywhere they can (all in the name of profits and kowtowing to a bully), am I no better than they?

I don’t have the answers yet. I’m actually torn.

If I can responsibly use the products and services of companies that don’t fully understand what the word “responsibility” means, then yes I will use those platforms. If I can connect with like-minded people and find ways of our living better and more loving lives, then a’posting I will continue.

But!

I don’t know how to do that yet. Or if it’s even possible.

I don’t know how to use these platforms and not just mutter “It’s OK, I’m growing my channel so it doesn’t matter if this platform also is actively trying to harm millions of people and destroy civilization”. I simply cannot accept that, so … I’m trying hard to figure it all out. It’s new territory for all of us.

If you don’t see me for a few weeks on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads … I’m trying like hell to be a responsible human. And I would love to hear your thoughts. I have some pros and cons and frankly right now everything is a tie.

Thank you for supporting the channel and all that we do here. You mean the world to me.