"THE PREROGATIVE OF THE HARLOT" ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media??? Well, with the current state of things, the hatred it has helped create, perhaps it should be renamed "Trolling media". The bullying and hatred on social media is absolutely terrific.

Social media platforms, enable anonymity that many hide behind thereby creating pseudonym accounts lay-manly referred to us as pseudo/fake ones. These, ‘the anonymous’, are able to rage against an individual, a race, a religion, sexual orientation, or whatever their hot button is, without any penalty. Anonymity allows them to threaten others with being attacked, raped, killed, have acid thrown in their face and so much more without penalty.  Let me repeat that, without penalty.

To avoid criticism, social sites define themselves as platforms rather than publishers because, well, publishers have a responsibility for what is written on their pages.

Social media anonymity enables people to demean the language of debate and social interaction; it allows many to combine disagreement with being an enemy instead of an opponent. It allows people to rage and say the most outrageous things, most of it without proof. I submit to you without fear of contradiction that this can be used to target specific groups with disinformation.  All this without responsibility.  

It epitomizes the modern day ‘prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages" which squarely means using power without responsibility. I vividly recall the touchy words of the Deputy Vice Chancellor of my alma mater, one Prof. Gitonga who said, "Freedom without accountability is not only slavery but also irresponsibility." The word obscene comes to mind, as does immoral, unforgivable and as does harlot. It impacts all, and I mean all areas of our world.

Social media comment forums create ample opportunity for behaviour of such extreme naughtiness that it can drive even the most patient Netizens deranged. You know what I am talking about: The know-it-alls, fight-starters and doctrinaire zealots who seem to frequent every message board on all social media platforms using any and every topic as a springboard for their sociopathic gratification.

Online anonymity gives users a power without responsibility. They tweet & post what they would never dare say to your face and in forums inhabited by like-minded, asinine souls they egg each other on. The lack of accountability results in misogyny, racial abuse, threats of violence and insane rants posted without fear of repercussions.

One may ask why the hell would I go for such a despicable title for my article!!!

Spare a minute or two and get the reason why:

In the decades before World War II, Stanley Baldwin was one of the most powerful politicians in the United Kingdom. He was the leader of Britain’s Conservative Party from 1923 to 1937 and served as Prime Minister three times during those years. However, in 1931, Baldwin’s control of the Conservative Party was threatened by attacks from the newspapers owned by two wealthy press barons who wanted him ousted.
Three days before the election, Baldwin counterattacked in a public address he gave to voters in St. George’s and he vehemently said,

“The newspapers attacking me are not newspapers in the ordinary sense. They are engines of propaganda for the constantly changing policies, desires, personal vices, personal likes and dislikes of the two men. What are their methods? Their methods are direct falsehoods, misrepresentation, half-truths, the alteration of the speaker's meaning by publishing a sentence apart from the context...What the proprietorship of these papers is aiming at is power, and power without responsibility – the prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages.”

Last but not the least, The philosopher Plato argued that, without accountability for our actions, we would all behave unjustly. One wonders what he would make of a modern world in which the internet affords users almost complete anonymity.

So, it’s up to us to decide whether we wish to continue trolling & bullying each other !!!!!!!!