Why Arguing Politics on Facebook Is a Waste of Your Time
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why Arguing Politics on Facebook Is a Waste of Your Time

Well, and everyone else's.

4143
Why Arguing Politics on Facebook Is a Waste of Your Time
@goldengateblond

I recently made a major discovery: my Facebook feed is complete garbage. Clickbait, spam, "fake news", and worst of all, political arguments between Aunt Sally and Joey from high school Biology. In Q3 of 2016, Facebook had reported over 1.79 billion monthly active users. At some point over the past 18 months, Facebook transformed from "happy birthdays" and cat pictures to the epicenter of political thought and debate.

Here's what people need to understand: as garbage as my newsfeed is, your's is too. In an attempt to better target users to find more relevant content, Facebook updated its algorithm. This formula leads Facebook to create your newsfeed, not just based on the most recent posts from your friends or from pages you've "liked," but based on the posts it predicts you'll find the most relevant.

What's been the result? A political echo chamber. Have mostly liberal friends? You'll see recommended and pushed posts from Mic, Vox and Occupy Democrats. Like the pages of conservative think tanks and Republican senators? Expect to see posts from Fox News, Breitbart and Conservative Review. From "trending news" to your friends' most popular shared posts, the more you like, comment and share, the smaller your chamber becomes.

It's no secret the more our ideas are reinforced, the more passionate about them we become. Why would dictators burn books and tyrannical governments block the internet if they didn't fear the influence of dissenting opinions?

So, here we are today.

Let's set the scene. You're browsing your newsfeed, and you see a friend has shared a partisan political piece criticizing or promoting the top story of today's news cycle. The post has a few likes, maybe even a share or two. A distance family member comments, "Love this! Good for you!" If you agree, you like it too. Maybe you don't, so you shrug your shoulders and move on.

Later in the day, you come across the post again. This time, though, there's a stream of 20 plus comments. Blocks of texts attacking the poster's point of view. Another friend jumps in to defend the original poster. A friend of a friend backs the critics. Those comments are racking up likes and comments on their own. The comments slowly twist from political to personal. Now it's awkward and everyone's angry.

Exhausting, isn't is?

This is the problem with Facebook politics. It's not designed to be a forum for debate. It doesn't matter what argument you make, what Pew Research you link to, or Bill Maher or Bill O'Reilly talking point you regurgitate, you're not going to change anyone's mind.

News flash: you're not doing it to change anyone's mind either. You're doing it for the likes, the reinforcement and the instant gratification. In the arena of Facebook debates, you're likely confident that you have friends or resources that back you up, that tell you you're right. In person, face to face, would you really make those same arguments? Would you do it knowing there was a chance people wouldn't immediately agree with you? In the real world, there's no way for people to quantify how much they "like" or agree with what you have to say.

In the real world, you can't take it back. You can't delete the post. It's a lot harder to admit your wrong.

I was raised in a political household. Check out my other content from Odyssey; I have a lot to say about politics, sports and culture. I've put my opinions out there; I've had to follow up with stories where I had to say I was wrong.

If you really have something to say, there are better platforms to share your opinions. Start a blog. Apply to write for a publisher like Odyssey. Even Tumblr or Reddit are more appropriate forums than Facebook.

If you were confident in your beliefs, you wouldn't be incensed by an opposing viewpoint in your Facebook feed. You wouldn't feel the need to take over someone's day to type responses on your iPhone just to prove to the world that you fit into one political mindset and not the other. So if you're not doing it to change their opinion, why are you doing it?

You're virtue signaling. We're almost all guilty of it. That doesn't make it right. If you want to change the world, get involved in a campaign. Donate your time to a cause that matters to you. Support a local candidate for town council. Write to your local representatives. To change the world, your time and money are worth a lot more than a Facebook rant and a couple of likes.

So, make your time worth something, and stop wasting everyone else's.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71140
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132981
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments