Originally Posted by
Aussie Bob
Cordwainer, while I am not exactly "sticks and stones" on the matter, the fact is, in order for these demeaning sites (wherever they may be) to prosper an audience is required. You can send me the link but I aren't looking if you do. IMHO the folk who "innocently" view these sites are the root cause of the issue. Like porn addicts, the viewers think that simply looking at images causes no harm. I think they are wrong.
My recent short foray into Facebook to promote a business left me perplexed and underwhelmed. Endless self promotion, pictures of dinner, folk posting stuff to get nothing more than likes, pure garbage videos and targeted advertising was all that I could see. The whole thing left me cold. If Facebook posts are what is causing the ridicule then the poster deserves some of the blame.
Actually, I agree with you to a large extent. The whole culture of self- and selfie-absorption is out of hand, and there's a valid discussion to be had about where the line is between sharing with friends and making oneself an actual public figure.
I would still argue against your final sentence as a blanket statement - it's a bit too similar to claiming the victim of a crime was "asking for it". The posters may be anything from ill-advised, to rampant narcissists, to people who simply don't understand how to restrict viewing of their Facebook page to friends only. But they're not
causing the ridicule.
The root causes I believe are immaturity or cruelty or a combination of the two, exacerbated by an increasing amount of similar media bolstered by claims the victims "can't take a joke" or "have no sense of humor". The cause of ridicule is the mindset of those who believe ridiculing others, even total strangers, purely for the sake of their own amusement, is somehow OK.
I'd continue to assert it's not. There's a difference, for example, between satire about a genuine public figure to make a point, i.e., to point out a crime or injustice, or something that adversely affects society as a whole....as opposed to making fun of some poor schmuck who was just following the advice of hundreds of articles about using social media for business or self promotion.
But, yes, I wholeheartedly agree the audience for that sort of mockery is not innocent. It's why I have very harsh replies to anyone who is foolish enough to send me links to something like the quite objectionable "People of Walmart" or similar posts that are devoted solely to making fun of the poor, overweight, homeless, mentally ill, etc.
Hoping you'll take no offense at my reply, as I do think we're basically of like mind here, and with thanks for your own well-thought-out post.