The Social Activity & Consequences of Public Scrutiny Made Easy by Advances in Technology

Instant access to information via the current technology has numerous
benefits.  It is a major aspect of the social context in which today’s
global society lives, thrives and suffers.  With every pro comes a con.
The flaws of today’s fast paced, tech-savvy world are mostly due to the
techniques by which technology is used. 

News articles are posted daily on various websites; they are broadcasted
on television.  Despite the fact that all news articles are not
editorials, are they all fact?  Photos of celebrities, protests and
political events are posted on television screens and websites for the
world to see.  But, are they believable or are they manufactured to look
so?  I believe – or would like to believe – that most individuals would
answer the previous two questions with some skepticism.  Still, how much
of these manufactured images, news stories and opinions do we
unconsciously absorb, even if we don’t fully believe them?  How much of
the information is accurate, and how much of it is our business?  Every
day, the difficult and personal aspects of people’s lives are blasted on
the pages of magazines; they are roasted on late night comedy shows, and
their hardships become the object of public humor and judgment.  Talk
shows utilize a personal hardship to segue into segments.  Hypothetical
or anonymous anecdotes are just not as good for ratings.  The truth is
that the public thrives on analyzing the actions of others.

A recent story that made, not only newspaper headlines, but tabloids and
talk shows: “Did Fantasia Barrino Crack Under Pressure?” (FoxNews.com).
“Season Three’s ‘American Idol’ winner Fantasia Barrino was hospitalized
in North Carolina on Monday following a drug overdose just hours after
details of a lawsuit filed against her for destroying a public marriage
were made public.”  Not only did this woman supposedly attempt to kill
herself following the publication of her private mistakes, but her
(supposed) emotionally unstable actions following public vulnerability
were then blasted to further the sentiment. 

What is the purpose of highlighting someone’s personal struggles for the
rest of the world to analyze, criticize or even feel sorry for.   Such
information is no one’s business but those directly involved in the
situation.  Seeing as how I have never met Ms. Barrino, know nothing of
her past or what may have caused her alleged actions, and never saw such
actions take place, I have no right to judge her.  Today’s technology
has become incredibly advanced over such a short time since the first
computer.  As citizens of a global society, we must take caution with
what we allow others to see; we must take caution with what others allow
us to see, as well.  Today’s communication is instant and very indirect.
People act similar on the internet as they do in their cars.  We do
things that we would not necessarily do face to face.  But, those
actions have consequences.  And, while the referenced Fox News article
may be fictitious, those consequences can be as serious as an attempted
suicide.