In the world of social media, the amount of information flow to an individual has increased exorbitantly! And in that phenomena, the number of “influencers” have increased manifold. These influencers try to influence you in their “desired direction”- which may or may not be of your benefit, but it certainly benefits the influencers– by way of increased following, or brand endorsements, or popularity, or brand value, or directly money! Everyone wants name, fame and money, and there is absolutely no problem in that!
The problem starts when the influential people on the social media start moulding public opinion towards distorted reality. They present their opinions as facts, which are portrayed as rock solid as truth. Basically, they camouflage their subjective, biased and skewed opinions as “complete truth”. And they are so sure in their opinions, that they leave no scope for any other versions of truth. For example, if you happen to watch a reel related to some disease, the influencer will tell you that the 5 products that you are using are just bullshit, but the sixth product which he/she endorses will do miracles! It is just their opinion, which is most of the times not based on facts and evidence-based research. But, the confidence with which they project on the social media, makes people believe that this is the only reality of life! Every other opinion or product or solution seems so immaterial at that moment such that one gets naturally drawn towards what the infleuncer is saying! Another example- if you are not doing xyz things in life, then your life has no meaning! What an absolute rubbish thing. Who are they to tell you whether your life has meaning or not? It is just their opinion, not a truth.
Similarly, some celebrities or some social media accounts have started suggesting reasons and solutions why your life is fucked up! And they hit you where you are most gullible- on your insecurities, fears, dreams, life goals, etc. They present your problem in such a simplistic way that you tend to feel that – “ye bilkul theek bata raha hai, mera saath yahi to ho raha hai”. You tend to get swayed away by the simplistic version of “half-baked truth” that is presented before you. But, in reality no Tom, Dick and Harry can give you a simplistic analysis for your complex problems in life. They may at best suggest one “possible” solution to your problem/concern, but in no way can they understand your complex problems in toto, leave alone providing solutions for them.
As humans, we are different, unique and special. No one-size-fits-all approach can solve all the problems of humanity. The solution has to be context-specific, evidence-based, logical, practical, feasible etc etc. This is not to say that what all is shown is complete bullshit, but we must filter those things as per own understanding, context and relevance. Then only we must apply it to our lives. The truth of one person may vary from another person. What is true for you, may not be true for me. And nobody can claim to have universal knowledge of all truths that exist in the world! Even in scientific disciplines, the truth is ever evolving- like the nature of light or the evolution theory of the universe. So, how can the truth be only one in the domain of humanities and in real life?
It is okay to get influenced by people, but not so much that you forget from where you had started, where you are now and where you are going! This article is also my opinion, which you may or may not agree with. And that’s the beauty of the truth- that no one can claim supremacy over it!
Till next time….
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