Opinion – The Web is a vampire – Macau Business

I think every journalist, and possibly people in general, have a love-hate relationship with social media.

In the modern world of information, one cannot afford to be completely off the grid with the risk of missing out on breaking announcements and crucial developments.

However, it does feel that each time you jump into the intense rapids of online social media, your shoulder is suddenly drained by the intense speed and aggressiveness of information, especially in crisis times as we are living at the moment, where Covid-19 is more ubiquitous and unavoidable than targeted ads.

The moment you join the Matrix, you can suddenly access an astonishing level of information, but you also become visible and a possible victim to the system.

And while average working Joes do have the choice to detach themselves during working hours from the grid, media professionals, especially those working for by-the-minute-right-now news, are constantly locked into the muddy waters of the great river.

After months following the constant cascade of pandemic updates, it is hard to not feel a mental burnout from the constant negativity permeating social media.

Theres just not enough animal videos to sustain good humour, and unrelated positive news seems alienated. Like news from a simpler time, making their way to times where life and death are the norm.

Macau is now a city in virtual lockdown with any crossing to either the Mainland China side or the Hong Kong side warranting a 14-day quarantine.

In a sense, were all now in the same situation as the people undergoing medical observation at several hotels in the city, with the caveat we can still go to a street cafe.

Ive seen much hate and despair expressed by residents on social media in many different languages but one must remember the web is like an auction: only the loudest voices make themselves heard. After all, reason and moderation do not favor AI algorithms, devised to increase views and ad profits for tech giants.

Its easy in times like this to remain fixed in the ever-changing updates and count lists related to the pandemic online but I want to make an appeal to the reader to take some time, even if just 30 minutes, to completely detach from the online world, where a different Armageddon is announced and rescheduled daily.

Maybe walk your dog. Learn pottery. Master the ancient art of origami. Maybe practice Hastha Yoga or rewatch classic football matches from the 90s. Or even, god forbid, reconnect with your loved ones and family.

Previous generations faced crisis as the most important challenge of their time and had minimal distractions. The current generation has to face a world crisis daily on their phones, real or imagined.

So get out there and face the real world with a steady mind and sure step. After reading this opinion piece of course. Then go walk your dog. He/She knows best.

MNA Editor-in-Chief

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Opinion - The Web is a vampire - Macau Business