Social media can manipulate people’s thoughts

Nov 11, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
I ask you to publish this timely warning against a very dangerous phenomenon.
Please allow me to share some knowledge with your readers that may be of great benefit to their lives. It regards the startling rise in unscrupulous manipulation of people’s emotions by very savvy media operators. Imagine this scenario if you will, a video emerges of a political rally where a person of one race is abused in the crowd by those of another race.
He is pushed, shoved, called names, racial epithets are hurled his way, and all caught on ubiquitous smart phone videos. It is shared on social media. People of the abused race are angry. Their reactions, guided by emotions fuel further abuse. And cross abuse ensues. Persons get forced into feelings of shame by the actions of the abusing crowd. They react by trying to comfort and support friends from the victim’s race. Imagine if you will, that the entire incident at the political rally was carefully staged by political strategists, this is our new reality and it is a very dangerous one.
Social media is awash with such events. It is a strategy engaged upon by those in power, those wishing to attain power, added to the plethora of fake news’ websites that make patently false claims to an increasingly gullible global population. It makes for poor decision making. Such manipulation abounded during the recent election in the USA, Guyana however is a much smaller society and the results could be disastrous in an already acrimonious political environment. My advice to my fellow Guyanese is to stick to credible sources of information. Do not be too willing to believe every video or photograph you see, look closer and the manipulation may become clear. Misinformation is the new reality. Do not be hasty in sharing or reacting to such manipulation. Think before you share.
Robin Singh

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