TumbleDweeeb

Ethical Echoes: #1

Gary couldn’t understand why his Facebook friend count kept dwindling despite his constant stream of political memes and lengthy personal rants. “They just can’t handle authentic discourse,” he muttered while crafting another caps-lock tirade about society’s decline, never pausing to consider his posts might be divisive, poorly researched, or simply exhausting to encounter daily. When his college roommate finally unfollowed him after an especially inflammatory post about local teachers, Gary proclaimed it a “badge of honor” in a status update: “Another sheep leaves the flock! People unfriend others because they’re afraid of REAL LIFE VALUES and HONEST OPINIONS!” What Gary failed to recognize was that most people weren’t leaving his digital orbit out of ideological differences, but rather because they were setting healthy boundaries, protecting their mental well-being, or simply curating their online experience to include more thoughtful, nuanced perspectives than his recycled talking points and combative tone could provide.

The Moral: Self-awareness and honest reflection are essential for meaningful connections, both online and off. When we blame others for rejecting our behavior rather than examining how our actions might affect them, we miss opportunities for growth and genuine connection. True “real life values” include respect, empathy, and understanding the legitimate boundaries others set for their well-being.