Safe Spaces and what Google + understands about humaity

The Internet. An example of both the heights human beings can soar, and the depths that they can sink. The great equal maker, the internet gave a voice to the voiceless. Unfortunately, with all the voices out there, it starts to feel like the majority is screaming. Each wanting to be heard. It seems that you can barely turn your back without offending someone online these days. It feels more like drowning inside all these voices, I propose a way to look at the internet that might bring some sanity. 

Lucky for me, growing up, I struggled to fit in socially. In a world where everyone seemed to easily fit in everywhere, I felt like an outsider.  So, of course when the Internet appeared on the scene, I embraced it with open arms. All of a sudden I could find similar people like me anywhere in the world. It was a magical place where you can express yourself and be heard and feel less lonely. My inability to fit in, made it easy to observe and analyse the world around me. Everyone just want to fit in somewhere. Whether it be a sport club, church or a comic book convention, the basic human need to be a part of something is ever prevalent.

It is easy to see the internet as an open and free space for everyone. More and more people are living "virtual lives" and many different cultures and sub cultures has emerged. All of a sudden Bronies, Furries and Vloggers became part of our vocabulary. With all this freedom it was easy to be accepted for what you want to be, people created a world and a social standing for themselves impossible to achieve in the real world.

As the world got more accepting to what the internet had to offer, it became more and more mainstream. And as technology progressed everybody could hold the entire internet in the palm of their hands. All of a sudden the safe space that these communities crafted for themselves, was shared with everyone. As in the real world, more and more people started casting judgement upon others. Rants, horrible comments and huge social media conflicts started happening daily.

You have to remember that building an audience or community online takes a lot of time and patience. Most of these groups have a history and lineage going back since the early days of the internet. I will share with you my motto that I use to navigate the real world, to help you find your way in the virtual one. These four magic words got me through a lot: "It's not for me".

What I mean with this is, in life people do all kinds of things to pass their time. Some play games, some play sports, other read. When I see, or participate in something, and don't understand or enjoy it, or feel threatened, I turn around and say:"It's not for me", and leave. Just because I don't enjoy it, I am not going to cast my opinion on those people who do enjoy it.

Treat the online world as you would the real world. You don't go to a sports store and get upset because the don't sell video games. You don't go into a heavy metal club and insist on hearing Taylor Swift.

The world, online and off, is a big place. Find out what you enjoy, and enjoy it to your hearts extend. Life is short. Live and let live.

You choose where you go online and what you see. If you don't like a certain YouTube channel or blog, don't go there and tell them your opinion.

Now, Social Media is a bit of a different beast. The majority of people using social media, use it as an extension of themselves. They curate their walls and use it to organise their lives. It's their safe space. They share their thoughts and feelings. They share who they are.

With share comes the risk of oversharing, or sharing something that might upset one of your friends, or someone that is only following you because they like the funny comments you make of a reality show. You are exposing everything to everyone. People who doesn't know your journey. Your life story. What you went through to be where you are today.

When you visit a website or channel, you've made the decision to go there or follow a certain personality. What you are exposed to is all your doing.  On social media however, this is the safe space you've created for yourself. It's a house filled with all the people and things you love, admire and listen to. When you decide to share something with your friends or audience, it's something that you put your stamp of approval on. So when someone has a rude comment or offensive post to share, it affects you differently. Their views have been pushed upon you when you where not necessarily in the right frame of mind to see it. It's like someone saying something offensive about migrants while you were having a conversation about puppies. That's why people get upset. Their social platform wall is their "safe space". You don't have the right to force your opinion onto someone else.

And this is what I love about Google+. Whether you see it as good or bad, Google+ is a trend setting platform. Many of the new features that appears in your social media platform had their origins in Plus (+). One ingenious feature that plus (+) has is Circles. Realising that humans behave differently when they are around different people, is what Plus (+) caters for. Think of how you act in front of your parents versus how you act in front of your friends. This doesn't make one fake, or two-faced, it's just with different people you have different relationships. This is what Google understands so well. You can have different voices depending on who you are talking to. When you share your thoughts, you can choose who you want to cater your message to. Want to share a funny post that might upset your mother? Share it with your friends only. Want to share something personal or inside joke, that an acquaintance might not get, share it with your friends only. This is what google Plus understands so well.

I think the other platforms should follow suit. Give people the option to share their message to who it is intended for. Only after that, you can delete that person out of your life if they reveal themselves to be rude and obnoxious.

So start navigating the online world like you do the real world. Don't say something that you do not want to be said to you. Always post like your mother is reading.

Remember the words: "It's not for me" and lets make the virtual world a safe space for every one.