Social Media and the Present War between Russia and Ukraine
We are not assisting anyone by cheering on any side and only contributing to an escalating situation.
We all know something about something or other. Some of us are interested in economics and follow data trends. Others are interested in religion or history, while others may be connected to different governmental apparatuses. Of course, there is always the category of people who get their information solely from MSM (Main Stream Media) and the news-based reality tv and their commentary programs (or alternatively, through internet memes). Each of us has varying degrees of knowledge, and somehow that motivates many of us to flaunt an impulsive desire to support a cause or wave a flag.
Growing up during the Cold War, I remember first learning about Ukraine from the board game Risk. The name sounded cool. I didn’t really know much about the Soviet Union, but from that time I remember making an effort to learn more. Decades would pass, situations would change, and the political landscape of the world would shift in a radically different direction—all before 9/11. By that time, I knew a great deal more about the region, its language(s), and its people, but even then I could not claim a sophisticated or comprehensive understanding of the region.
There are a few world theaters that I am far more confident in my knowledge than others, whether through direct experience (the Middle East) or information gleaned from those with whom I share a very trusting relationship—Ukraine and former Soviet states. I say “very trusting” because even when we know those connected to certain situations, we may not be able to properly verify the information we receive; thus, one may have close contacts with others but the level of trust may not be verifiable. With regard to Russia and Ukraine, I know enough to know most the areas where I am ignorant—and those areas are way too many.
I think that this is a translatable observation. The more we learn about any sort of topic, the more we realize how much more there is for us to learn. Perhaps that’s just a sign of getting older. Is what I know enough for me to cheer on one side or the other, beat the drums or war, or even contribute an opinion to the public? Immediately, I am quite astounded by the fervent devotion to a position that friends, colleagues, and acquaintances take shortly after viewing stories in the media. Then in the next breath, I know better. We humans are what we are.
Social media has evolved into a set of forums where people stage their opinion in order to assert their presence in the matters to which the MSM direct our attention. I don’t know if this is motivated by boredom or self-esteem issues, but I’m not sure that it contributes anything positive to the situation. Moreover, it can drive wedges between people, impacting friendships and distancing people from one another.
Image from UkrStream.tv - retrieved 27 Feb 2022
What I believe about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is very simple. No one deserves to die over this situation, neither civilian nor soldier, Ukrainian or Russian. I support the general premises that people have a right to defend themselves and their loved ones, to disobey unjust orders, to vanquish evil (be that evil internal or external). I support the humanity among all belligerents. The politicians and oligarchs have set these events in motion for purposes that benefit them and not societies at large. This is not necessarily a non-position. I just do not believe in embracing a false dichotomy where I need to “support” a side and not a different position entirely. International politics is less A Team vs. B Team and more Game of Thrones (minus the final season after the episode “The Long Night.” The story line went to crap after that and undid the strength of the series thereafter… but that is a rant for another time). Who benefits from this situation? Who has the most to gain? People will grow to hate one another, ascribing blame to those who are right and wrong alike, and escalate the situation to the point of generational consequences.
Still, it could be much worse. Whether the Russians are getting clobbered as the MSM would tell us or they’ve exhibited remarkable restraint in intentionally not overwhelming Ukraine, I am thankful that at this point the situation is not as bad as it could be. Let’s hope the situation plateaus then reverses course. As for me, I see nothing to rejoice over, so I will weep with those weeping.
Слава Отцу, и Сыну, и Святому Духу, и ныне и присно, и во веки веков. Аминь.