Before posting on social media, think of baseball
“Eat it” is also an expression often heard on the baseball diamond. It’s used when a fielder is about to make an ill-advised throw of a “live” ball: a ball that has just been hit and is in play. The fielder wants to make an out because that’s the name of the game on defence: to get outs. The throw may be considered ill-advised when the hitter or other base runner is likely going to beat the throw. The other fielders see that throwing the ball likely won’t result in an out, any may mean the ball is thrown away and the runners advance. So, they yell out “eat it” in an attempt to get the fielder to hold on to the ball and minimize the offensive damage.
In this case, “eat it” is a command to devour it yourself: don’t give it away, surrender its effects, or push it on someone else. It means that you, the one holding the ball, needs to take the most advisable action: NOTHING.
Yes, sometimes the most advisable action is to do nothing … for the moment. In the case of baseball, holding on to the ball now sometimes results in giving your team a chance to win the game later. In the case of social media, holding back on posting now may mean that you post something more positive and less ill-advised later.
We’ve all heard horror stories about people posting comments, pictures and video on social media that they live to regret. Sometimes they lost their job over their misguided posts. For examples, see this Time.com article and this CNN feature. Transgressions typically include posting a photo of yourself drinking (and looking drunk/silly while drinking), complaining about your job, or posting a disparaging comment that will embarrass your company. Evidently, some people don’t understand that their online lives can cost them their real jobs.
Several candidates in the 2015 Canadian federal election have learned that lesson the hard way. In the weeks leading up to the big vote, several candidates from all three major political parties dropped out because of comments made on their social media accounts. Some of the mistakes were made months ahead of the ballot while other blunders were made weeks ahead of the vote. The various transgressions even compelled the three parties to take a closer look at their candidates’ social media accounts.
The professional downfall these individuals face begs the question: why did they make irrefutable public statements that are – at various points – ignorant, ill-informed, inflammatory and controversial? Many of these people are intelligent and thoughtful with strong educational backgrounds. They have a solid reputation in their communities and they are highly regarded professionals. Their unfortunate comments further beg the question, why don’t people be more careful on social media? My answer to these questions is simple: for many people, including high status professionals, posting to social media is easy and quick, and they don’t tend to think long and hard enough about what they’re saying.
What types of posts are okay – and even good – to publish to social media? I think of George Stroumboulopoulos, the popular Canadian TV personality who used to host a talk show called “The Hour.” For its theme, he borrowed a song called The Good in Everyone by Canadian rock band Sloan. George is a relentlessly optimistic and energetic guy and seeks the best in everyone and in every situation. That came across clearly in his interactions with his guests and audience.
Just as George always looked for nice things to say – and a nice way to say them – you should seek out the the most positive and uplifting in your social media interactions. Don’t post anything, or respond with any comment, that you wouldn’t feel comfortable saying out loud, in front of a live audience. Because, in reality, what you post on social media IS being said out loud, in front of a potentially massive audience.
If you want to be controversial or argumentative, make sure you have your facts straight, stick to those facts, and be polite and respectful. Remember, it’s often not what you say that hurts you; it’s how you say it.
But – and this is a major BUT – if you’re being hateful in any way – racist, misogynistic, homophobic, discriminatory or just plain bitter and resentful – it IS what you say that may hurt you.
Also remember, if you make a mistake in judgment in your social media posts, it may be used against you professionally. As you can see in the news links, it can even be broadcast for perpetuity. Yes, anyone who wants to look you up and see what you posted years ago can relive your faux pas and spread it even further. It can go viral!
That brings me to my last point: if you’re really upset or annoyed, or drunk, or just plain not thinking straight, take a long walk. Go ride your bike. Go complain to your friends. Whatever you do, don’t post to social media. Think about that job you may want in the future, and the election you may want to win – plus, the friends you may want to keep.
Think of baseball, and Weird Al.