Social media and the social fabric

*Appeared in the Laurel Leader Call newspaper in Jones County

It’s mid-morning on a Friday.  Already, I’ve checked my Instagram messages; scrolled through my Twitter feed; and perused snaps on SnapChat. I even googled a music video on Youtube.

This snapshot provides support for the Pew Research Center’s survey on social media usage, which found that seven in ten Americans “use social media to connect with one another, engage with news content, share information and entertain themselves.”  

 

Compare that to 2005, when the Research Center began tracking social media adoption (think: Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Twitter, etc.).  Just five percent of Americans used one of these platforms 16 years ago, yet today about 72 percent of the public uses some type of social media.  To say the least, this rise in social media adoption has been astronomical. 

 

In the early days of social media, younger Americans were more likely to utilize these technologies. But as more Americans have joined these platforms, “the social media user base has also grown more representative of the broader population.”  For example, half of Americans aged 65 or older say they use Facebook.  That’s a lot of grandmas and grandpas, y’all.

If you follow national news, you know social media and big tech is a hot political topic these days.  Despite recent outrage against social media platforms like Facebook for “censoring” political and other news, its users have actually remained quite active on the platform.  About 70 percent of users say they check the site daily, with half of those saying they use the site multiple times daily. 

There’s some irony in widespread adoption of social media compared to Americans’ views on these platforms.  According to a study conducted last year, about two-thirds of Americans believe social media has a “mostly negative effect on the way things are going in the country today.” These individuals cited misinformation and harassment they see on social media; concerns about users “believing everything they see or read – or not being sure about what to believe;” and social media’s role in contributing to further polarization by creating echo chambers (only following news and other outlets that reaffirm one’s beliefs). 

More Republicans than Democrats felt social media was negative, but a majority of both parties felt the impact of these platforms was more negative than positive. 

 

So, what does it all mean?  For starters, we have a complicated, “love/hate” relationship with social media.  We use it on a mostly-daily basis, yet believe it is contributing to society in negative ways.  Why then, if we believe that social media is damaging to society, do we continue to use it so frequently?

 

One thing that social media does well is keep you engaged. After all, these are companies seeking to make profits so they can grow and employ hundreds of people. But this leads to platforms catering their content to keep users coming back and staying there. This can be convenient at times – we get to see more of what we like! But ultimately, the content that humans can never get enough of is that of crisis, urgency, and negativity. Think of the train wreck from which you simply can’t look away. That’s what we get with social media: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

This constant access to negativity can cause many to believe that things are much worse than reality. The phrase “Twitter is not real life” is repeated over and over by various pundits to remind people that things are not nearly as bad as our social media feeds may lead us to believe. I’d encourage everyone, when encountering a negative article on Facebook or Twitter, to take a deep breath and think about the positives that are happening in your life.

 

Social media also presents unique opportunities for hostile engagement with and negative perceptions of peers. Consider your personal experiences using social media. Chances are you’ve seen your friends or family members post links or provide comments that you absolutely disagree with.  I bet it made you mad – or at least made you roll your eyes.  And I bet it made you think differently about that friend or family member, didn’t it?

 

This raises an important point.  While social media can be positive for sharing views and information, it also creates an isolated method for discourse (whether political or not).  It’s far easier to defend one’s viewpoints from behind a computer screen than have a face-to-face interaction about the same topic.  The vitriol that may be acceptable (well, not really) on Facebook, for example, would likely not be tolerated in an actual human conversation.  

 

We know that humans act differently online than they do when physically present with others.  We tend to be more empathic, respectful, and open to hearing others’ ideas.  Are those traits that you associate with social media?  I didn’t think so.

 

I fully believe in an individual’s right to his or her own opinion, and if someone wants to share that opinion online, then so be it. But consider the fact that just 17 percent of adult Americans say their views have been changed because of something they saw on social media.  My point is this:  It may feel good to rant on Facebook or retweet an incendiary article on Twitter, but you’re probably not changing anyone’s views on the actual issue – just their views on you.

 

I’ve written before about the need for empathy, and I believe social media has eroded our society’s understanding and practice of this trait.  So next time you’re logging onto a social media platform, consider the impact it has on your relationships.

 

Remember, social media is a great tool. But with all things in life, moderation is key. Be kind to others, focus on life’s many positives, and consider spending a little less time scrolling through feeds on your phone or computer. 

Legislative session a wrap

*Appeared in the Laurel Leader Call newspaper in Jones County

Last week, the Mississippi legislature wrapped up its regular session.  Lawmakers passed a balanced budget with a full savings account (or “rainy day fund”), along with modest, up-to-three percent salary increases for state employees and a $1,000 teacher pay raise – all without raising your taxes. But what else did they do? 

I would be remiss not to mention (what seemed to be) the biggest fight of the session – Speaker Gunn’s proposal to eliminate the income tax and reduce the grocery tax, while raising the sales and other tax rates. Despite garnering bipartisan support from the House, this bill died in the Senate due to lack of support from senate members. 

 

For now, Mississippians will see no reduction in their income taxes – but also, no increases, either. I say that’s a mixed bag result.  High-growth states like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee levy no income tax, and I agree with leaders like Speaker Gunn and Gov. Reeves that eliminating this tax-on-work would do more to promote our economic growth than most other legislative proposals. I don’t love the tax increases included in the Speaker’s proposal, and I’m not convinced they are necessary for passage of major tax reform…but I’d much rather pay a sales tax than an income tax.  After all, we should be encouraging more employment – not monetarily penalizing people for working.  

 

I had the chance to speak with Jones County Rep. Donnie Scoggin (Republican – District 89) about some of their accomplishments during the session. He noted passage of a transportation bill to increase weight limits on harvest loads from 84,000 to 88,000 pounds, which will ease the process of transporting commodities such as sand, gravel, dirt, and agricultural products.  This bill is particularly important to the Free State due to our large presence of poultry producers. 

 

Readers may recall Initiative 65, which paves the way for a state medical marijuana program, passed during the last general election.  However, I-65 is currently being challenged in court, so lawmakers “tried to put in place a contingency program in case the Supreme Court strikes the law down,” explained Rep. Scoggin. He said there was much confusion about legislation designed to make the medical marijuana program constitutional, and ultimately this bill died. 

 

While Rep. Scoggin is pleased with the state’s budget increasing state employee pay raises by up to three percent, he says we must do more for the state’s working poor, citing low salaries for nurses aides at Ellisville State School as an example.  

 

Occupational licensing was a big issue, and lawmakers made progress by passing legislation that allows Mississippi to reciprocate certain professional licenses from other states.  For example, if a nurse in Alabama wants to practice in Mississippi, his or her license will be recognized by Mississippi licensing authorities – so long as the state of origin has similar standards. 

 

According to Rep. Scoggin, Jones County fared well in the state’s budget and bond bill, receiving some $1.2 million for resurfacing at Howard Technology Park; $200,000 for the City of Laurel for parks and recreation; and a new fire truck for the City of Ellisville. 

 

Lawmakers’ budget work isn’t over quite yet, though.  The American Rescue Plan passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden will provide hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to Mississippi.  Jones County and its cities are slated to collectively receive about $20 million in federal dollars under the Act, which Rep. Scoggin hopes will be used in part to fund a new law enforcement complex near the existing jail. 

 

The legislature is expected to come back later this summer to deal with these federal dollars.  Until then, Mississippians can breathe a collective sigh of relief. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Changing demographics, changing politics

*Appeared in the Laurel Leader Call newspaper in Jones County 

About a year and a half ago, I went with my family to eat at The Loft in the downtown district. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a line out the door and down the street.  

 

“But this is Laurel – sweet, sleepy, Laurel,” I thought.  As it turns out, my hometown isn’t quite so sleepy anymore. 

 

I was naïve not to understand the changing demographics of the area or just how much the City Beautiful had grown in terms of tourism and economic development.  It was a naivety I could afford, since my name isn’t on a ballot.  But politicians, take note. The changing demographics of the city, if continued, can have lasting repercussions for elected leaders in this area.  

 

Consider the following anecdotal comments from a local architect, who has seen an influx in retirees in his work.  He says the cost of living here compared to where the retirees come from makes a comfortable retirement possible for a lot of new Laurel residents.  In addition to retirees, another influence are the people growing a family. 

 

According to U.S. Census “QuickFacts,” Jones County’s population is comprised of 17.4 percent of people over 65 (as of 2019 estimates).  About five percent of the population are veterans, at roughly 3,500 citizens.  Residents drive an average of 21.7 minutes to work, and the average household size is 2.68. 

 

These are simply estimates from the Census Bureau, but it gives us a good snapshot into demographics of the Free State area.

 

Nearly one in five Jones Countians are over 65, which means retirees are – or should be – a strong voting bloc in this area.  Topics such as healthcare and pensions often take the forefront of this population’s mind, and, correspondingly, often become a platform for local leaders. 

 

Many of these particular topics resonate strongest at the federal level. The Affordable Care Act is federal, as is social security and Medicare. Seniors living in the Free State may have a renewed interest in our federal congressional elections, which happen next year. 

 

The state plays a role, albeit a smaller one, in regulating healthcare and pension plans. Mississippi is a tax-free state for retirement income, so seniors might pay increased attention to tax proposals being pushed at both the state and federal levels.

 

Young and growing families can also impact the politics of an area, with their focus on affordable housing prices, quality schools, and jobs availability.  This group is likely to be more concerned about the school rating of the Laurel or Jones County school districts than they are whether lawmakers in Jackson tax pension funding.

 

Locating in the city versus the county is a big decision for these families, and speaks to the nearly 22-minute average drive-to-work time captured by the U.S. Census data. Another bright spot on the horizon for Jones County is the impact these young families have on the local music scene. (320 Fifth Street, anyone?!) I’m pleased to say one can find live music again in Laurel, Miss.

 

One last point about Laurel’s ever-changing demographics.  “Geographic mobility” as measured by the U.S. Census tracks whether individuals live in a different house than one year ago; live in a different county than a year ago; live in a different state; and/or live in a different country. The rate for Jones County is 6.5 percent, or about half of the statewide rate.  With an influx of new residents, expect this figure to change significantly if population growth continues. 

 

On a more personal note, these days I am proud to split time between Jackson and Jones County (I bought a house in the Free State about 1.5 years ago). It’s exciting to witness the renaissance of the downtown area, as well as the economic growth outside the city limits. From newly paved streets to road construction, from live music to BBQ nachos, I welcome this Laurel transformation. 

 

What’s that sign say that welcomes you into the county on Highway 84? Laurel, Mississippi… “now this is livin’.”