By Amitava Ghosh, Sabroom, South Tripura.
Introduction
In today's world, thanks to the ubiquity of smartphones, a significant portion of our daily time is consumed by social media platforms. We willingly neglect many practical aspects of life, choosing instead to remain immersed in the virtual world of social media. As we scroll through our screens, we encounter an endless stream of content—news, joyful moments, humor, emotionally stirring stories, propaganda, and much more. All of it appears captivating, and time slips away effortlessly. For many of us, tearing our eyes away from social media has become nearly impossible. It is no exaggeration to say that people of all ages are afflicted with social media fever. Along with consuming this content, we have also developed the habit of constantly responding to it in various forms.
In this process of continuous reaction, we gradually, without even realizing it, transform ourselves into trolling machines. Some of us even feel the urge to demonstrate our own trolling abilities.
This realization has surfaced upon observing two recent issues that have been trending on social media. I am personally connected to two individuals involved in these incidents.
The Dark Reality
I do not know the complete details of what actually happened.
However, I have observed that whenever a minor issue emerges, our senses now instantly activate to respond on social media platforms. This has become a veritable fashion. Subtle, nuanced matters are transformed into hypersensitive, exaggerated spectacles designed to trend on social media. As a result, the person who becomes a target of this trolling—the profound impact on their personal life or mental state—goes unexamined by anyone. It has become a peculiar form of bravado: destroying another person while experiencing a strange sense of satisfaction.
Yet, the consequence of this tendency to seek fleeting moments of attention is that it merely generates distrust and division in our society—nothing positive emerges from it.
A Culture of Thoughtlessness
No one engages in deep, critical thinking about these matters. At the slightest provocation, we manufacture content. We release it into the social media sphere without a second thought. If someone's dignity is tarnished, so be it. Society is becoming addicted to this peculiar form of instant gratification—and we hardly recognize it happening.
A cutting remark hidden behind a screen, a sarcastic meme, or a viral video—these can render someone's life unbearable. Yet we fail to grasp this simple truth.
A Plea for Change
And where does it all lead?
I cannot say whether sociologists are contemplating this issue. But as a humble member of society, I have one modest wish: May this pathological culture of trolling come to an end.
May people develop empathy toward one another.