Review of T.Meyor's ON GIVING
This is a review of Terrell Meyor's recent post, On Giving.
First, I like the ideas Meyor is playing with in this article. I think it is completely logical to draw a line between how information is received on social media and how that model then effects our expectations when we share information in real life. The connection that I am missing though is how this new mode of appraisal relates to giving? The only link I can make out is that giving falls into a category of real life interactions which have been altered by the immediate gratifications that social media can offer. During our interpersonal exchanges we are now looking for the type of extreme receptions common to digital shares, "Yes, No. AMAZING, blah. Good, bad. Do, don’t do." But the above mentioned category really seems limitless and arguably contains all of physical-social interaction. What I am intrigued by is how these proposed changes in social behavior effects giving in particular?
I like the thoughts Meyor shares on our perceived global network, that such can sometimes be insulation against ideas and people we do not agree with. But, again I struggle to find a connection between this and giving. I need more than these last few sentences to tie it together:
We look upon the landscape of our manicuring and are inspired by the view, we look upon ourselves and are inspired to be more like that person. We give to ourselves we thank ourselves we help ourselves.
I think Meyor gets a little carried away here with the eloquence of his writing and leaves the reader behind. Ok, we are not aware that it is ourselves that we are looking at when we see the social media landscape. Still, how does this skewed perception specifically effect our expectations of giving?
Following the above cited passage Meyor writes, "which is fine. it is how it has always been and will always be so long as we continue to give". What? So, if it has always been this way then what is this article about? If it has always been this way then why include social media in this piece at all?
I think I know where Meyor may be heading with this but I cannot be sure.
Of course this is all written with respect. I challenge Meyor because I believe in his abilities.