COLUMN: Think Again – The pen is mightier than ever

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/05/2021 (1452 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“The pen is mightier than the sword.” So said English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839. Essentially, Bulwer-Lytton meant that the written word is more effective at achieving lasting results than violence or the threat of violence.

It’s not hard to see why this is the case. The threat of violence might lead to outward compliance, but a well-crafted argument can and will change hearts. A changed heart means a lot more than outward compliance, particularly if a lasting change is wanted.

Like any other tool, the pen can be used for good or for bad. Words can build other people up, share valuable information, and convey effective arguments. On the other hand, words can also be used to tear others down, promote harmful misinformation, or peddle discredited arguments.

Today, thanks to social media, the pen is mightier than ever. It used to be that our words had a limited reach and only impacted people we personally knew. But now social media makes it easy for our words to be read by millions of people around the world. This ease of communication has many benefits but comes with significant downsides as well.

Simply put, social media is far from an unmitigated good.

For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the worst in some people, particularly on social media. No longer do we give people the benefit of the doubt. Rather, we automatically assume the worst about those who disagree with us.

This problem is compounded by the massive amount of misinformation being circulated online. We are finding out just how little some people know about basic things such as which level of government is responsible for health care and how vaccines work. Some Facebook warriors don’t even know how to write a coherent paragraph.

Needless to say, this polarization does not make for a healthy political dialogue. It’s tough to have a civil discussion with someone whom you believe is out to destroy your way of life. Political disagreements quickly escalate into personal animosity.

Things get particularly nasty when people weaponize social media and stir up angry online mobs against their perceived enemies. This has a chilling effect on free speech. It is also a sure-fire way to enforce conformity rather than allowing different opinions to flourish. People don’t like being bullied and are likely to retreat into their echo chambers when attacked online.

Not only is the pen mightier than the sword, but it can be a whole lot deadlier too. Considering how much social media amplifies our words, it’s more important than ever that we consider carefully the impact of the things we post online.

Improving the quality of our online discourse begins with each one of us. We should ask ourselves how confident we are that the things we post online are actually true. Do we take the time to double-check our sources, or do we unthinkingly spread misleading information because it happens to confirm our pre-existing biases?

In addition, we should consider the tone of our comments and avoid ad hominem attacks. If you disagree with an announcement made by a politician or any other public official, don’t lob personal insults at them. Keep your comments focused on the issue at hand.

Criticizing the decisions made by politicians is perfectly fine. Launching personal attacks is not. Not only are personal attacks unhelpful, but they also say a lot more about the people making them than about those they are criticizing.

Social media has made the pen mightier than ever. Let’s make sure we wield this pen wisely. Our words cut deep and the wounds they leave behind are often permanent.

 

Michael Zwaagstra is a high school teacher and a Steinbach city councillor. He can be reached at mzwaagstra@shaw.ca.