SubscriberWrites: Social Media Influencers–Shaping Opinions, Fostering FOMO, and Eroding Critical Thinking

Social media influencers are shaping opinions, promoting FOMO, and undermining critical thinking by focusing on emotional content, politics, superficial motivations, and shallow advice.

Representational image | Flickr\ microbizmag.co.uk

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Are we Thinking Free?

The social media which we thought would enhance our knowledge, help us to come to a conclusion after hearing viewpoints from all sides, is just doing the opposite. 

The word ‘Social Media Influencer’ is what I am actually worried about. The influencers are not only telling us what is the fashion trend but much more than that. A reel or a video giving us knowledge or telling us something new is not an issue but when it immediately starts triggering our emotions without giving it a thorough thought is the problem. There is a down ward trend of curious or critical thinking because some how we are not happy. 

Some examples:

1. Political- Now we are being influenced by political views. Non Political people on social media or mainstream media are openly taking sides and we are blindly believing everything true. Many times facts are quoted selectively to aggravate our emotions. 

Our political leaders are much more interested in ‘Reels’ for cheap views rather than solving real problems of people in govt offices, hospitals or schools. 

1. Bureaucracy: The cream of the nation becomes IAS. Power and Stature makes them heroes from day one without any achievement. Are we demanding from our bureaucrats to make better hospital, school, road or make the day to day  governence more efficient. 

Do we even question the hours wasted outside govt offices? 

1. Financial Influencers: Investing is good but the way influencers tell it as a cake walk to earn extra money is problematic. Investing needs knowledge, reading, and understanding risk. 
2. Buying Habits: FOMO- The young generation may feel a sense of achievement by  buying branded clothes or latest mobile phones, but are they buying of their own free will or under the influence of influencers(stars) who are disguised working for that particular brand. Ask yourselves, Do you really need those jeans in “End of Season SALE”?
3. Religion: There is a sudden uprising in the religious podcasts or social media content and is actually not talking about the real religion of ‘Self Knowledge’(Dharma) but promoting rituals, superstitions and emotional entertainment. 
4. Motivation: Motivation is important but the influencers target short term motivation for views which is not helping. 

I believe all this is happening because the young generation is in stress at jobs or in relations. We are not interested in deep research articles or stories which enhances our critical thinking but entertainment immediate relief which the media or podcast serves. 

Even the politicians have realised so are not interested real ground work both ruling and opposition parties. They are all looking for popularity. 

This will harm us in long term. 

Twitter: @sharangg

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