Opinion: Staying quiet always beats an uninformed snap judgment.
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In the face of every globally recognized social or political issue, opinions of people far separated from the action are the first things you’ll see. The current frenzy surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict is no exception.
In the past few weeks, I’ve seen countless social media infographics each claiming to succinctly summarize the issue in the most morally correct way. These posts may initially seem to offer a helpful guide for those who haven’t read up on current events, but in reality, they’re a breeding ground for bias and misinformation.
With such complicated, multifaceted events, there’s no way a simple ten-slide post can accurately inform the public. The act of reposting these simple graphics begs the question: Do you know what you’re talking about?
An anti-opinion article seems rich coming from an opinion columnist, but I have my reasons.
Like many people, I first hopped on the infographic bandwagon in 2020. Stuck at home and starting to define my own preferences for social media use, I went overboard reposting every social justice infographic I came across. I felt like I was making a difference from home. I was sharing the news and speaking up for the voiceless from my very own bedroom. In retrospect, the action was practically meaningless.
In a world where over half of Americans get their news from social media, the infographic, particularly when it includes an easily-accomplished call to action, seems like a godsend. It’s a way to feel both informed and helpful without putting in a lot of effort. Oh, look at you, sharing information about current events! You must be so worldly and well-informed. Go pat yourself on the back for signing that petition and move on with your day.
Social media has a tendency to both dramatize and simplify everything it touches. With this method of sharing news, issues are presented as black and white with no room for any kind of nuance. Every post has a “bad guy.” As a result, you walk away from a news report biased before you know the extent of what’s going on. There’s no room for ambivalence and no time for research. Social media demands an immediate response to current events regardless of who you are. Why should we give in to the pressure?
Of course, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of waiting to speak out on important issues. As UO senior Teddy Clayton notes, “not forming an opinion right away can be beneficial in some situations, but we should also be critical of what privilege we have in ignoring something and what it means for the situation if we wait.”
One major benefit to the current social media news sharing system is that it’s easier than ever to raise awareness about issues that mainstream Western media may not be covering. Staying silent isn’t the right move if amplifying someone else’s voice could make a positive difference, but it’s important to always vet your sources. Who is the information coming from? What angle are they representing? What do they want your main takeaway to be? Considering these questions can help you figure out whether it’s worth sharing with your followers. Before you repost that infographic, take the time to consider whether your opinion is truly well-researched.
At the end of the day, my best advice is to get over yourself, with all due respect.
You aren’t (presumably) the leader of a nation, the director of an international charity or a globally-recognized humanitarian icon. No one is waiting with bated breath for your take on the world issue of the day to come out. Your opinions have merit, but make sure you know what you’re talking about before you decide to share them.