Outrage is today’s currency of choice — but it comes at a heavy price
Can we talk about outrage?
It feels so good, particularly when we’re outraged about an injustice. The righteous indignation rushes through our veins and makes us feel strong, powerful, virtuous. Social media, specifically, thrives on exactly this sort of outrage.
Outrage can be important. If something terrible is happening, we need to get angry and insist we won’t allow this to happen in our community. If others are being abused, if dangerous messages are flourishing, if people are ignoring a travesty, we need to channel appropriate anger to create change.
But lately, outrage has become daily fare, the currency of choice in social media, a sure-fire way to get clicks and likes. There are downsides to all this indignation, a heavy price to pay for the fury. Here are some of the losses:
– Loss of positivity: We’re enjoined to develop an ayin tovah. We’re commanded to judge others favorably. A Torah Jew is meant to be a generally positive person, a person who views others as essentially good.
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