Constructive Offline Conversations
Last May, the day after the horrific school shooting took place in Uvalde, Texas, social media lit up with a back and forth that shows just how divided we are as a nation. I got to thinking about the best place to respond, as we must, to the tragedies that take place in our world. I truly believe that the evil in our world which rattles us to the core must be discussed and acted upon. The Gospel demands it. But it’s wise to choose where we discuss how we should act and respond. The great temptation is always to jump online to social media and to engage in what’s called virtue signaling and performative allyship. All too often, conversations that should be had one-on-one and face-to-face are taking place through sound bytes thrown around online. Alan Jacobs once wrote, The internet is a mugger that demands an immediate response. We need to show personal restraint while teaching our kids that the most constructive conversations in difficult times will take place off line.