Just to follow up on something about which I wrote within the past couple of weeks:
I learned a new word today: “Sadfishing.” I don’t know if it has a lot of traction anywhere, but it made sense to me.
“Sadfishing” is posting video of oneself on a social media platform literally crying about something that makes one “sad.” This isn’t like some politician acting for the cameras. This is someone who, according to the person who taught me the word, “had to set up the shot, get the lighting right, record, edit, post. Likely even have multiple takes.”
Seems manipulative and takes away from the authenticity of their emotions if you ask me. But this is the world in which we live. I can only ask more vehemently that schools please include more critical thinking in their curricula. Not to teach our children what to think, but more to give them the tools to show them how to think reasonably about what they’re seeing in the world around them.
We have to teach our children how to do the research necessary to come to a logical conclusion about issues. Teach them how to distinguish between sincerity and manipulation. Teach them how to see a video and go below the surface — to think, “Hey, how and why is it that this ‘influencer’ is putting this stuff out there.” To teach these things would do a great service to humanity.
When I cry about things, my first thought isn’t “I gotta get this on video.” This tells me that the emotions I’m seeing are for consumption. Emotional appeals are a dirge to critical thinking if you ask me. I understand that they happen in the moment, but they are far too often the foundation of peoples’ action when it is far better to give matters serious thought before leaping into a defense (or offense). I honestly don’t mind at all if someone comes to a conclusion that differs from mine, as long as they can defend it with facts. I ask the same of myself.
I only wish that more people would be careful to think that way…