Are Social Media Tools Making Us More Human?

Do social media make us more human? First of all, what does it mean to be human? Literally, every person alive is human—we are Homo sapiens that live with a mind, soul, and spirit—and a conscience that guides us from decisions to behaviors.  

Many of the decisions we make are based on personal and comfort preferences.  For example, technologically savvy people tend to use social media with smart devices to communicate. For those who are not so technologically savvy, they tend to avoid social media. Instead, they use twentieth century conventional tools such as telephones and letters to connect with others in remote places. Nevertheless, each of these communication tools mentioned, whether it is a smart device or a conventional communication tool, it allows the user to engage in in-depth conversations about people’s feelings, ideas, and interests with other like-minded or not-so-like-minded people.

Because I know we are as human as we will ever be in our physical bodies with our intangible minds, souls, and spirits, I believe some thought leaders are asserting that social media is making us more human because more people have the opportunity to enter into dialogues that articulate our human interests, thoughts, and feelings; thus we are connected with others in greater numbers.

Based on the concept of the book We First by Simon Mainwaring, niche or self-interest conversations going unchecked by the moral and ethical checks-and-balances of a healthy conscious, could, in effect, be nothing more than Me First behaviors running awry; whereby, individuals are more inclined to address their personal needs rather than their needs as members of a global society. In contrast, would it be more human to adapt to We First behaviors; whereby, individuals are proactive humanitarian supporters of not only their personal concerns and needs but also those of others in the cosmos?

As we enter into more conversations using social media tools such as blogs, mini-blogs, chats, podcasts, video-casts, smart mobile devices, and other tools, they may or may not bring about enlightenments and behavioral changes. However, as we create more dialogues using them, it makes us better advocates and communicators of our feelings, ideas, and interests. Thus, to determine whether social media discussions make us more human, we need to agree upon what contributes to more human-like behavior. Is it based on quantitative multi-dimensional articulations or qualitative behavioral interactions?

I would think human behavior is determined by quality in terms of a conscience with a purposeful mind, soul, and spirit that chooses to act in ways that align with the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Consequently, do social media make us love more; share more joy and peace; be more patient, kind, generous, and gentle; and practice more self-control with others? If it does, then social media is making us more human. 

Linda Williams