Yesterday, I actually talked a guy out of doing the unthinkable deed of trashing someone in our realm. This may well be a tipping point for me, in that I am closer to heaving the middle finger high... to the whole damned thing. Social media has jumped the shark.
What does this have to do with nostalgia you ask?
In my own vernacular... cleaned up of course... " A whole f*#@$ng bunch."  

  Names and situations aren't critical here as there isn't just one. What's important is the message and applies specifically as well as generally.  In the past, there were a number of options to pursue when someone felt wronged. You could let it roll off and move on.  Express displeasure among peers, building a consensus. Closer members of the circle would shun the wrongdoer.  In severe cases, legal advice and action to right the wrong or mediate it to a satisfactory conclusion. Things always seemed to be "taken care of".

In our modern era, with social media being at our fingertips. A split second decision, to post a gripe and be seen by many within a scant amount of time seems to have become the norm. The problem with this option... time to contemplate, cool off, formulate a plan, or consider the "what-ifs" is non-existent.  We've all had a blow up with someone and wanted to wring their neck. The prospect of setting them straight was paramount. Often times, when you had to get where they were, or think it through... wisdom fell on the side of choosing battles carefully. Let it slide.

  The lines one must police themselves to keep from crossing becomes blurred frequently. A homebound fan, who gets to interact with a hero, can easily get into the mindset they are "intimate" friends.  They convince themselves they are just that.  Then, followers who have the perception of whom their object of fandom is, often times having no clue of who they really are. The " walking on water" perception they have would quickly end if they were standing at the "water's edge".  A number of these people are willing to take up the figurative swords to defend the honor of their chosen icon. Suggesting the prospect of exposing aspects of a person's life based solely on devotion to said icon.  Rationality and knowledge be damned, they will press on in efforts to find all they can on the perceived pillager of their hero's honor.  Alas, they would never put a fraction of the effort into finding the facts or truth.  I don't really know that it would matter if they did.  Some may step back and realize their hastiness in judgement was unfounded... armed with the facts. Some may not give a damn to begin with.
  This applies to deals gone wrong, too. A buyer who didn't take time to read descriptions, look at photos or just plain got ripped off. They will post their experience...in brief... and a lynch mob will form. It's not right folks... no matter how you slice it. These "friends" you never met, never knew the specifics of the deal gone bad, will or won't fight their battle. Once again, your interference can screw them... or worse harm someone who really didn't do anything wrong.  That gang mentality is , in my words again, a real motherf*#@er.

 Yesterday, the conversation I mentioned, ended by him thanking me for "talking him off the ledge." Realizing what he had planned to do, could and probably would backfire.  That aspect of "payback" the gang mentality  breeds is dangerous. Harassing someone, known or unknown, right or wrong, on social media is a slippery slope. Though it is appealing to a mass of people, it is still only the court of public (and popular) opinion. Your perception of justice may differ from the actual written law.  Libelous and slanderous practices may be harder to police on the internet. Yet, it still can be prosecuted in some instances.
 
    Support your legends, icons, idols and friends however you may.  But, let them fight their own fights.  There are those who like to sing like a bird about bullying online. They will find fault with many things. I know one matter firsthand, where an accusor has secretly sent emails to others they want to sway and find ally in. Unfortunately, the person was under the delusional belief their disgust was shared. Many of the emails were forwarded to the object of this person's vitriol. Due to the slanderous/libelous nature, they are kept near in case the need for action arises. Airing beefs publicly can become reckless...quickly. Think before jumping, folks. The old notion about taking a deep breath and counting to ten.  

It really helps.

  Context in the typed word leaves a lot of room for interpretation.  Our numbers are slowly shrinking with each generation. Contributing to its lessening, by advocating stupid acts of electronic and sometimes personal aggression is the folly of fools.

Don't be a dope.

NOSTALGIA DRAG WORLD - By Eddie Buck