Taking on social media with respect

By Jared Nemitz| August 7, 2017 0 Comments

I enjoy interacting on social media about all things turfgrass. I’m a believer in the benefits of social media to communicate, advance careers, interact professionally and learn new tips. Twitter is especially fun around the majors, when social media users like Keith Wood (Quail Hollow Club) or Chris Tritabaugh (Hazeltine National Golf Club) give us a behind-the-scenes look into the operation.

Being a part of various turf groups on Facebook and following tweeters allows access to information and interactions not otherwise available. However, the last few years has seen a startling trend of turf professionals degrading, mocking and attacking each other, and a general lack of decency. Bashing ideas that may be outside the box or accusing someone of ignorance has become all too commonplace.

The idea of acknowledging and disagreeing is giving way to demonstrative political discourse, the kind seen on cable news every night. How is it that a conversation on golf attire or mowing heights can quickly deteriorate into a full-throated quarrel over “liberal tears” or “fascist Republicans?” It is an accepted social norm to steer clear of politics and religion at work. But on social media, that rule seems to be more of a suggestion.

So, I ask this simple question: Where has the civility gone? Trolls have been a part of online interaction since the creation of social media, where the basic rules of decency are suspended and negativity thrives. I thought, possibly naively, that our profession was above it. If the game of golf is built on foundations of integrity, responsibility, courtesy and respect, shouldn’t the caretakers of the game exhibit the same values? From some of the interactions observed lately, this is not the case.

The goal of social media should be to invite participation, welcome new ideas and make yourself and others better. One doesn’t have to agree with everyone’s opinions, practices or beliefs to get along with them. Acknowledgement of ones’ right to those opinions is all that should be required.

Words hurt and have consequences whether you like it or not. What you say and how you say it to others says volumes about who you are as a person. You may never know what the effect of a Twitter blast, post or thread can be. The negative impact of bad behavior on social media can be long lasting.

Every article on the planet implores social media users to watch what and how they post something. More than 60 percent of employers use social media to research job candidates. Spare me the, “I am not at work,” or, “it’s my personal time” rebuttals. Social media is a public forum. Always has been and always will be. The rules haven’t changed. Don’t post something that could negatively impact relationships or current and future employment.

We all are in this profession together, with common goals. We want to be successful and provide to our clients a good product. We are a tight-knit group of professionals who help each other when needed. This job is hard enough without the added stress of getting attacked by colleagues. If you see a post and your first reaction is to eviscerate or mock, stop. Take a second and ask yourself if what you are about to type is going to benefit or hurt someone.

Even if the rest of the internet is bent on tearing people down, we should concentrate on building each other up. Following basic etiquette would create large advances in raising the level of decorum on social media. For example: