I believe that social media is contributing to these feelings. It seems that social media, being an amplifier for "shocking" stories, tends to exacerbate the negativity of the world around us. Only the most controversial, sad or frustrating stories get eyeballs.
It's been this way with traditional TV and radio newscasts, of course. But TV now has to compete with social media and is moving towards the same hysteria. Podcasts for sure and some radio programming are also playing the doomsday soundtrack as well.
I don't actually think the world is in a much worse place. I do believe that America (and probably the world) is changing culturally, how we treat others, human rights, respect. There seems to be a new awakening towards minority rights, gay rights, race, and police abuse. Negative things have always existed, but it's becoming harder to hide them with the ever present social media lens looking at us. We're changing our societal perspectives and discourse as a direct result of the extra focus.
So maybe it's a good thing. Maybe all these negative feelings and observations are a technology/media driven renaissance of sort. We're possibly just at the dawn of a new age of awareness and respect for others and the world around us.
It's been this way with traditional TV and radio newscasts, of course. But TV now has to compete with social media and is moving towards the same hysteria. Podcasts for sure and some radio programming are also playing the doomsday soundtrack as well.
I don't actually think the world is in a much worse place. I do believe that America (and probably the world) is changing culturally, how we treat others, human rights, respect. There seems to be a new awakening towards minority rights, gay rights, race, and police abuse. Negative things have always existed, but it's becoming harder to hide them with the ever present social media lens looking at us. We're changing our societal perspectives and discourse as a direct result of the extra focus.
So maybe it's a good thing. Maybe all these negative feelings and observations are a technology/media driven renaissance of sort. We're possibly just at the dawn of a new age of awareness and respect for others and the world around us.