IT’S ABOUT YOU, MUBARAK, IDRISIMA, OSIMHEN, FINIDI, TINUBU, OBIDIENTS AND ALL OF US WEBBED BY AI, SOCIAL MEDIA ET AL: WELCOME TO THE FUTURE WHERE EVERYONE IS RIGHT, WRONG AND CONFUSED.
By ONOJA OKPANACHI
We are on a dangerous slide. Sometimes ago, I wrote an article (One Way, Not A Way), and many reduced the crux of that piece to supporting certain persons or interests instead of grasping the real message. Painfully, many who reached out to me later revealed they hadn’t even read it to the end; they simply seized upon the headline and hastily merged it with the ongoing discussion, drawing premature conclusions. I redirected them to read again before further discussion, and most returned apologizing for the misconceptions.
Let me make a point very clear before I proceed: I am not holding brief for anyone but rather stating what is true, even if it’s inconvenient today. History will judge rightly tomorrow.
Now, here is the ugly reality confronting us today: Due to the urge to break news, create viral contents, and attract online traffic, anything goes, regardless of the implications. All creators need is a kernel of fact or something resembling it to lead people in their desired directions with their stories. Given how gullible we are becoming by the day, we don’t question anymore. Analysis of opinions or news is becoming distant from us. We swallow everything that comes our way, gradually losing depths. Everyone is just floating, holding onto hearsay or what they’re fed with, whether good or bad. This trend is dangerously leading us to the tipping point.
About a decade ago, I was so worried for the traditional media, thinking the end for it has come with the rise to fame of social media but the truth is, the traditional media platforms will eventually be that last resort for most when peace of mind and accuracy is needed because of the gate keeper structures it has. And, the lack of gate keepers for the social media is one of the major keys that will ironically sustain the traditional media because when all is said and done, it will always be “back to verifying the news” and that will be the booster for traditional media to remain relevant. So, no fears. In fact, these odds being created by the new media will be the fertilizers for the growth of the traditional media.
With the growth of social media as it is now, simultaneous praises and attacks will never seize regardless of who is involved, which are indications that no one is safe, no matter how highly placed. People hardly use their minds; they are not thinking, analyzing, or asking questions any more. They are merely following the trends of the moment. If someone raises a point and the attack starts, most will follow suit until the target is demoralized and retreats no matter their intentions. And, when the attacks extend beyond the actions of the person to their personal lives in the public eye, it could have very negative consequences for the people. It discourages many from participating in public affairs and the worst of it, corrections and adjustments will be made very difficult as most hearts will be hardened.
Bringing home this matter, as a nation, the slide we are on at this point is heading towards the edge. We have taken so much of the negatives that the positives seem not existing in our clime. If we do not take drastic and urgent measures, we will land badly on rough patches, and the damages will be widespread. Already, outsiders have realized that the fastest way to attack any Igala person, Igala leader, or Igala elite is by going on social media to spread negative information, and their own people (the Igala) will not let them be until they are devoured. Our emotions are now influencing our actions more than reasoning.
We have reached a point where we can easily be set against one another. We are at the most dangerous point where people forget all the good you have done for the land in seconds because of a decision that goes against the majority’s views, and here, blackmail works so cheaply. This is the frightening point where everyone is marching in one direction and at this critical juncture where we all think we are right, I am afraid we are all wrong because critical thinking is disappearing, and those who may still possess it are afraid of being stigmatized.
In summary, all these developments call for critical thinking, discipline and embracing the principle of questioning and analysing every information before taking them to heart. We are already in disarray and have become very porous as a result. We need to take small steps like not letting our emotions rule whenever there’s an issue or information bring circulated. Most importantly, we must not disrespect our elders, particularly in public, even when we condemn their wrong actions. Their guidance and knowledge are vital ingredients we need. They have seen it all and, with humility, can share their failures and successes with us. From there, we can trace our steps back on track and be great again.
See the case of Finidi George and Victor Osimhen – how social media blew it, causing serious damages to the nation already and unfortunately creating no room for reconciliation except if one of the parties choose the part of extreme humility at this point. What about the last time Mubarak was declared wanted, the platforms that blew it more to the world are of the same ethnicity with him and most of them care not to know “the truth or the real story” but held onto the headline as they are more concerned about what brings traffic to their pages, profiles, blogs, platforms et al irrespective of the consequences. And, the worst of it is, they care less about how the story goes or ends. And, what about the number of times Idrisima’s name popped up on your phone for one good and the other bad here and there all of which, the truth we may never know. This is our new normal now.
In view of this, one must do everything to keep his or her sanity intact and that’s why I am so much in love with what “Mr. Ogijo” did to safe himself from drowning. You will learn a lot from him when you read his story in my book to be released some months from now. The book is titled “THE WHOLE TRUTH” with the “W” in the “whole” marked X altering what the meaning of the “WHOLE” may real be in the context of the title. See it soon. Read when it’s out to guard your sanity jealously in this perilous times.
