It's just so cheap and sensational. And I don't like being told how I'll react. I will react in my own way based on who I am and what I know.
What these titles successfully do is make you curious and want to click on it. That's why it's cheap. And what do you find when you click on it? Nothing much. How much value does that article or slideshow add to your day...or your life? It's just so empty.
I'm sick of internet wisdom. Even if I agree with a blog post title, is that really where I should find my validation? Just because someone writes a witty, snarky post about the virtues of being a stay-at-home mom, doesn't mean I, as a stay-at-home mom need to share it on my wall ("See! My life choice is right!"), let alone read it.
I am not trying to judge anyone here. I am mostly exploring these thoughts for myself. It can be really hard to minimize the amount of web content you read in a day. It's there at your fingertips anytime you get onto facebook (which, unfortunately for me tends to be several times a day).
In contrast, I know that the scriptures and the words of modern prophets are the "living waters." How much are we figuratively drinking from those? What are we filling our minds with? Because what we fill our minds with is basically who we become.
The truth speaks for itself -- it doesn't need sensational, appealing link titles. It is moderate (as in, not extreme) and subtle. It also takes time and prayerful effort to find. But "if ye seek, ye shall find."
Just some thoughts. These are the sort of thoughts that inspired me to make this the other day.
"Decisions are made in accordance with unchanging truths aided by prayer and the guidance of the Holy Ghost....I am so grateful to have the fullness of the gospel -- the scriptures, modern prophets, prayer and personal revelation. Because of this I can have peace in my life, despite the turmoil and confusion in the word.
"As an exceptional son or daughter of God, you are sorely needed. There is an urgent need for more men and women like you who will stand for principles against the growing pressures to compromise those very principles...
"Above all, we need mothers and fathers who will preserve the sanctity and safety of the home and the integrity of the family in which faith in God and obedience to His commandments are taught as the foundation of a productive life."
"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Hi Elisa! I wrote a response to your post on my blog- hope that's okay! http://sethstarwarsandsilliness.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yeah that's fine. I just stumbled across your post on google+ and when I saw the title I thought "Internet Validation? we must be on the same wavelength!" haha I don't get notifications for comments so I hadn't see this yet.
DeleteI never got notified that you responded either- but now I see the box the check at the bottom to indicate whether I want to see the response or not. :)
DeleteI love hearing the thoughts of my family members. And I think it's okay to need validation sometimes, or to ask people's opinions on whether they agree with you. But you're right, we do need to trust in the Lord for guidance. That makes knowing what's right easy, without needing to have our thoughts go viral first. This age of instant information allows us open our minds to endless ideas. However, I think that being so open-minded can have a negative on our spirituality- it could make us forget in our truth-searching that we already know the truth, and it's found in the word of God and His prophets. :)
I dig this. I'm absolutely tired of the links that people post from such sites as Buzzfeed and Upworthy (it's not all terribly annoying and cheap, but too much of it is). Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings.
ReplyDelete