Exiting the Echo Chamber Resolution #5

Everything I've read about division points to social media as one of the primary sources of polarization and misinformation.  That's not news to me, yet I catch myself in the kinds of knee jerk reactions that contribute to the mess we're in. I like and share before I fact check.  I comment before I process and reflect.

It requires a concentrated effort on my part not to immediately react in some way, thereby echoing  people I agree with and pushing  away people I don't agree with.  I find that when I do wait at least 2 hours (sometimes I've waited longer than a day) to respond, my responses are  calmer and better thought out. . 

When I agree: Sometimes I find out through research what I was about to share is not really true.  Sometimes on reflection I realize that, true or not, a post nearly shared, was expressed with a shrillness I really don't want to echo. 

When I disagree: Sometimes, if I just mull it over, I begin to recognize the other person has a valid point. Sometimes, I still disagree but the time I have spent away from the screen has helped me form a deeper, and probably more persuasive response.

When I comment or create a new post: My responses show more maturity, reflection, and grace when I wait, and even write them out in long hand first.

And sometimes, imagine, I realize my own opinion is not so godawful important that everyone has to know about it, so I say nothing at all.