I would like to share a Social Media experience that just about ruined my week.
First of all, I have to tell you about Jan. I spent the past semester studying abroad at Western Carolina University in the USA. Here, I formed some truly special friendships and relationships with people I will never forget. One of these people, was the incredible Jan.
On my first day at the college I walked into the buffet style cafeteria, handing my special college ‘credit-card’ to an elderly lady to ‘swipe me in’. She looked at my card, read my name, swiped it into a computer and then uttered a phrase that would be repeated to me, every day, for 4 months. ‘Thanks Dominic, enjoy your meal sweetheart.‘ This was delivered with the most genuine smile you’re ever going to see.
Jan was a legend around campus – a cult-hero of sorts. She was loved, universally, simply because she addressed you by name and referred to you as sweetheart. Everyone liked to brag about being her ‘favourite’ – she had a special ability to make you feel that way. She was the perfect example of how little actions can make a huge difference on someone else’s life.
Last week, a Facebook revelation came about which shocked the Western Carolina community. Tragically, Jan had passed away. My newsfeed was filled with tributes, stories and expressions of grief. Even the local bar posted a special status in her honour.
Shit. I was utterly devastated. I immediately sent hundreds of hopeful messages, asking friends if the news was true. Sadly, it was.
Except… It wasn’t. As it turns out, Jan is still alive, healthy, and swiping cards with that same welcoming smile. It was all, one, big, stupid internet rumour. Not too dissimilar to the celebrity hoax deaths we have become accustomed seeing on social media.
My feelings of relief quickly changed to anger. Not just about the rumour itself, and towards the complete fuckwit who started it, but also towards all the people who had given the rumour legs by posting their ‘OMG JAN IS GONE’ statuses.
Of course, I realise these people are not to blame. Similar to those who fall for ‘Send me your credit card details so I can protect your bank account’ emails, people like to believe what they read on the internet. I, too, had believed Jan had passed away.
I think it would be safe to say that younger generations are certainly more aware of what to believe or not to believe online. For example, I know very few 20 year olds who who feel tempted to reply to an email offering a share in an 8 million dollar business deal. But it’s clear, however, that this skepticism isn’t shared when it comes to a Facebook post.
It’s sad to think that we now have to question the news of a loved ones death when reported online. Sooner or later, we will second guess every bit of news that comes from Social Media, or furthermore, the internet as a whole.
This was in response to the questions and discussion at the week 4 Symposium.
