Thoughtful comments or just more noise?

When the news hit about the terror attacks in Belgium, the world was shocked.  For a second. Immediately, world leaders began making their standard public statements denouncing the suicide bombers and the actions of ISIS who claimed responsibility for the carnage. 

Strangely enough, that was followed by Tweets and statements from Hollywood stars whose reactions were then re-posted and re-Tweeted by regular folk.  Basically, they all said some version of “My heart breaks for Brussels.”  My question: Whose doesn’t?
It’s lovely to voice our support in times like these.  But why bother?

Do Brusselians (Brussel-ers? Brussel-ites?) who are trying to return to their normal daily life in the midst of the chaos and police presence, really check Twitter to see what American movie stars have to say about their plight?

And if we’re not offering support in our social media messages, do we really have enough inside information to make educated statements of fact?  Or is it just more opinion and uninformed rhetoric?

Too often, the cacophony of commentary is overpowering the actual message.  Recently, MP Don Rusnak suggested delaying a motion regarding the suicide crisis in NAN communities.  Other politicians sensing blood in the water started attacking the MP along with various NAN representatives.  They ran to the reporters and their online followers to share their disappointment and Rusnak’s lack of sensitivity to the issue – especially given that he is a First Nations MP. 

However, what he actually said was that he wanted to delay in order to change the wording in the motion to be inclusive of all First Nations – not just NAN – impacted by the suicide crisis.  But who heard that clarification in the days that followed?

We have so much access to information that the public is rushing to share their opinions before we have all the details.  Of course, we no longer have to wait 24 hours for the next news cycle for clarification.  It can be updated and corrected anytime. 

Not that anyone’s listening by then.  We’re too busy commenting on it.

That’s because everyone has an opinion.  And with the ever-expanding media options, we have not only the right, but also the ability, to share it. 

However, (and this is going to offend some) is that opinion always really necessary?

When the Liberal budget was announced, reporters were ready to grab politicians and lobbyists to make sure they recorded their reactions.  Of course, the opposition didn’t like it and kept comparing it to their party’s past budgets. 

Special interest groups that benefited were complimentary of the numbers.  (No kidding.)  Others who saw their funding cut used words like “travesty” to describe the new budget.  (There’s a shocker.) 

Everyone had what they felt was an enlightened opinion that had to be shared.  However, did any of it help the average Canadian understand the bottom line? 

We live in a media-filled information age.  And everyone likes to have a say.  But unless we’re adding something of value, we’re just making more noise.