The New Opium of the MassesPreviously I

ve tied my articles to my blog, www.tomjdolan.com, which deals withthe topic of Public Speaking or Speaking in Public(not the same thing). Now, forseveral weeks I

ve had this gnawing thought that I want to explore here. It may inthe end tie in, or not.I maintain both a twitter account and a facebook page...maybe you do too. And Iwrite somewhat regularly to each one. I really don

t remember when I beganposting to them, but it

s been awhile, and although I don

t have all that manyfollowers on either, I like the interaction and so I contribute. Well,I

ve been considering the posts that I write. Generally they don

t have a lot to dowith Public Speaking. Sometimes they do, like when I

ve posted a new show onmy blog, but not usually. Most often I want to introduce my followers/friends to,what I hope is, a point of view or piece of information they might have missed.Usually information dealing with politics, health, environment, and internationalissues that I consider noteworthy but may have been relegated to a minor spot ormissed completely by mainstream media. And too, I

m ok with posting pointedand sometimes sarcastic personal comments.I

ve also been considering the posts that I get in return.Due to the rolling nature of twitter I

m sure I miss many posts. Of the posts that Ido see, some are from people that want to sell me something, now or in thefuture. Some are uplifting, some informative. Others deliver news, post thoughtsor quotes or solutions or bits of daily life. Now,On facebook I post at least once a day but with longer commentary because Ican. I also comment more frequently on the posts placed there by others. Why?The facebook posts I get are predominantly political/social comments and links,and without the 140 character twitter limit, I can be more readily roused to addmy 2¢ and so I do. By now you may be thinking ….So What!? Well,I

ve begun to wonder if the internet with its broad interconnectivity and generalaccessibility, is the 21

century Opium of the Masses.

I like the term

Opium of the Masses

. It

s conjures up an organic

Matrix

. Still anunsettling thought but with better mental images. Anyway, the web not onlyallows commentary but promotes it. And Comments are easy to write. “GoodPost Tom.” “Never thought of that, but I

ll give it a try.” “I like it!” “Sucks.”Sure I see confrontation, name-calling, and rancorous interaction, especiallytrailing an obviously divisive news article. Aggressive in-your-face sometimes,and yet it seems like nothing more then lifting the weight on a pressure cooker torelease the steam. No minds are changed. I see little shift in attitude but rather aspiteful hardening of drawn lines. The Hatﬁelds and the McCoys.Commenting can be a substitute for action.The web promotes reaction. Which is easily accomplished from the comfort of arecliner in a climate controlled environment with entertainment of choice insurround sound. 90% employment and a Professional Military with no Draft makefor a pretty secure setting.$3.50, $4.00 or more for a gallon of gas. Angry, frustrated? Note it in a Commentin a list of Comments, let off steam, then Cope: Drive less. Recently, I

ve readnumerous articles with their attendant comments, complaining about theMortgage crisis in America, but I

ve yet to see one Bank in my home-ﬁlledneighborhood being picketed.Comment, complain, commiserate, let off steam, pet the dog.The web is magic. It not only makes business activity transparent, it magicallyallows people to disappear. An electronic façade, easily erected, can obscure orconceal the identity of the Commenter. Using offensive language, diatribes, andinsults is free of personal liability. No rocks through your window. No slashedtires. No pickets outside your business. Call it like you see it in any terms youlike... “F*ck em all!” Wow, it

s so freeing. No repercussions. No responsibility.Comment, complain, commiserate, let off steam, feel better, change nothing. But,