Abstract

The point of this paper is to make aware of the fundamental errors that correlate with the human understanding of unity and equality within this era’s revolution called social media and the internet. The paper uses the means of rhetoric to safeguard its points while also using information that is widely accepted by the masses known as journals and research papers to further strengthen its foundations. Lastly, this paper does not represent anything symbolic but a single thinking pattern that came from a single mind, and while commenting on the topics, it is not separate from the topics.

Introduction

In the early days of the information era, people used to think if all the information in the world was open and if the common man could access the information then the world would be a better place (Alberts & Papp, 1997), this is far from reality. During ancient times when the genus of homo sapiens came to be, nothing much changed, sure the species have developed in terms of aesthetics in both social and physical (Gowlett et al., 2012), but still lack behind on the spectrum of emotional development. These sapiens now drive a car instead of running and have developed complex social structures like courtrooms and gossip to do violence instead of just bashing each other’s skulls. To clarify, thinking about violence is violence itself (Yakeley & Meloy, 2012). This pattern of thinking has led ‘the man’ to develop a sense of control in this chaotic world, which may be a choice of evolution but a bad one nevertheless. Coming back to the point of stunted emotional growth in the species, humans still get angry now as they used to do back then (Mallan et al., 2013). One might say that, but now humans can control their anger, which is far from the point. To win over anger there should be no anger at all, controlled anger is nothing but a seed for further anger. This seed of anger directly corresponds to the absence of unity and equality among the species and the revolutionary social media has only fortified the illusion of unity and equality by only addressing the dynamic ‘problems’ such as rights and class structure. One who is in power will not be in power in the future (Dahl, 2007), this is absolute, and all the species’ energy and resources are being poured into the thing that will happen no matter what.

Definition of Unity and Equality

For one to understand the real meaning of unity and equality one must not know about oneself. This statement might feel a little over the head, this is because human beings in its entire history humans have only known about themselves- a single individual, all the things experienced are through a single individual. The concept of ‘we’ is a form of the individual, to further clarify that ‘we’ exists only because ‘I’ exists (Hogg & Williams, 2000). This puts the overall concept of unity in a state of paradoxical nature, how does one understand and experience the thing that is not meant to be experienced? In a village, there were three blind men, one day the emperor was traveling through a road beside the village and was riding on his royal elephant. The royal entourage decided for a quick break in their journey, and as it happened the three blind men were coming down from the village. The blind men got the opportunity to experience the elephant and each one touched its parts. On returning to the village they got to share their experience as no one in the village had seen an elephant before. The first one said the elephant is like a Chinese fan (grabbed its ear), the second one said it is like a strong snake (grabbed its trunk) and the third one said the elephant is like a pillar (Daigneault, 2013).

The blind men have known the elephant from completely different points, to experience the elephant in full glory they need sights. Such is the human condition regarding the experience of unity and equality, all individuals have different viewpoints on the topic and none is the whole truth and to see the whole truth we need eyes. But the melancholy of not growing eyes in a night haunts the 3 blind men and the human species equally. Absolute unity and equality cannot be perceived, nevertheless, it is there and that is why humans have constructed the mimicry of equality and unity that is the hot topic of today’s neoliberal society. The mimicked thing in the new age gains its unity and equality by excluding certain groups. For example – Everybody falls in some kind of political spectrum between left and right, being apolitical also falls at some point of the spectrum (Wallman-Craddock, 2020), and belonging to a certain group does not help the unity and equality of the species. This everlasting battle between us and them is ultimately a battle between I and I which is a self-destructive trait in the species. Now it is established that the problem is a lack of tools or knowledge (eyes if you are one of the three blind men), the solution is in the knowledge itself. In short, the species needs to evolve its mind and answer how this paper is out of wits and metaphors.

The New Fire (Social Media and the Internet)

The Internet has done the same thing to the human mind that fire had done long before, it has made humans powerful. The internet and social media with its immense commercial approach have given rise to echo chambers and filter bubbles that further divide them than make them whole (Kitchens et al., 2020). This situation further led to the isolation of the groups which seriously hampers unity and equality by filtering out diversity. Further down the same road of echo chambers, there are the modules of confirmation bias, humans by nature are inclined to narcissism, and hearing one’s voice and validating one’s opinion is superior to theirs (Holtzman et al., 2010). The algorithms used in social media help only to give this new support to ignore the beliefs of others and by doing so give rise only to misinformation which leads further away from unity.

Bridging this gap of self-validation will help in shaping the narrative of history as well as providing equal opportunities to the people all around. Algorithms in social media are designed in such a way that they are only targeted to the specific people of specific socio-economical and cultural groups, which is another factor that leads to the inharmony and divide. The world of social media is cold and void of human connection and touch, this is because of the anonymity factor that surrounds the media, anyone can be anybody and can do anything. Which is a dangerous weapon given to a common man, which leads to online harassment and crimes (Craig et al., 2020). This type of behavior is directly responsible for the fear factor integrating the species and harpers the peace which then affects unity and equality. Another thing that has impacted social media is the rise of activism which is not true in nature and is used just for aesthetics. Digital activism is a big part of the development of social values and their evolution, in this delicate and crucial moment of creation there comes another type of fake activism which is called ‘ Slacktivism’ here users get involved in some kind of political token and gesture just for the sake of aesthetics and involvement (Glenn, 2015). This type of hollow activism not only makes the real message less impactful but also disrupts the unity among people. Finally, the immense accumulation of individual information by social media including internet firms increases questions regarding breaches of privacy and monitoring (Kayes & Iamnitchi, 2017). Unfair strategies centered around data mining can strengthen existing gaps and damage confidence in online networks, which ultimately hampers measures to achieve unity and equality.

Human Experience

The experience of humanity is a confusing fabric interwoven with fibers of unity, and equality, as well as the constantly shifting environment of technological innovation. At the core of this complex weaving are two important ideas: unity and equality. Unity, the feeling of having been connected or linked as a single entity, and equality, the condition of existing equally in power, privilege, and opportunity, are intriguing concepts that have shaped and molded human cultures and ideologies for ages. However, while working together in pursuit of these objectives, creating true unity and equality continues a difficult effort. To grasp the core of unity and equality, one needs to look beyond the limitations of individualism. The existence of humans is fundamentally isolated; every person sees the external environment through their lens, created by particular memories and points of view. Humans understand just parts that make up the larger whole, exactly what the blind men did when they encountered the elephant. The concept of unity and equality is broken down and influenced by our perspectives.

In today’s interlinked society, the internet acts as simultaneously a source of unity and a roadblock to justice. The internet enables people while aggravating sections, similar to how fire enabled the first humans while additionally causing damage. Social media websites, including their algorithmic structures and echo chambers, amplify pre existing inequalities and reinforce confirmation biases. Diversity is reduced in online echo chambers, where viewpoints are heightened or repressed following preexisting assumptions and biases. The end consequence is a broken digital universe in which an eruption of conflicting stories covers up unity and equality.

Furthermore, the degree of confidentiality provided by the world of digital media encourages an environment of online bullying and deceit, undermining attempts to promote unity and equality. The emergence of “slacktivism,” or shallow gestures disguised as activism, hampers actual efforts to effect social transformation by diluting important speech with false acts. Even though the online world can seem like a wild place, there’s still some good stuff happening. Real and powerful digital activism can bring people together and make a real difference. Think about it – if we can help everyone get online and make sure all voices are heard, the internet could be a big force for making things better. But, making things fair and united online isn’t just about new gadgets or apps. It’s about all of us changing how we think. We’ve got to remember that everyone matters, no matter what, and look past what makes us different. It’s all about connecting for real and caring about each other. Education is like a superpower on the road to bringing everyone together and treating them the same. It helps us think better and understand the digital world in a kind and smart way. This path we’re on to get everyone on the same page and treat each other fairly is long and sometimes tough. There will be good days and bad days. It takes bravery, understanding others, and facing the unfair stuff that keeps us apart. But if we use technology in awesome ways and remember we’re all in this together, we can work towards a time when everyone gets along and is treated equally for real.

Counter Arguments

In the era of technology striving for unity and equality is an endeavor but it’s crucial to also consider the potential counterarguments and obstacles that may arise. One opposing viewpoint suggests that the internet and social media platforms simply mirror existing divides rather than aggravate them. Advocates of this perspective claim that the internet’s tool and its influence on unity and equality is influenced by pre-existing social factors like economic disparities and systemic injustices. Thus attributing divisions to the internet overlooks issues that need to be tackled at a broader level.

Critics may also contend that focusing on unity and equality in the sphere neglects autonomy and freedom of expression. Efforts to regulate conversations in the name of promoting unity and equality could suppress dissenting voices. Limit freedom of speech. The internet has always been celebrated as a space for expression so any restrictions on freedom must be carefully weighed against creating an environment that embraces diversity and inclusivity. Furthermore, some doubters might question the effectiveness of activism in driving social progress. While the internet has undoubtedly accelerated information sharing and mobilization efforts, skeptics argue that online activism often falls short compared to organizing methods and direct engagement. Engaging in activism has become so effortless that it often leads to “slacktivism,” diminishing the impact of movements and hindering progress, toward creating meaningful and lasting change. Although the aspiration for unity and equality in the digital era is laudable, a critical examination of the potential counterarguments and obstacles is needed. Ultimately, a balanced perspective should ensure that digital connectivity and technology’s advantages are not stifled while individual liberties are duly secured and actual transformative social accomplishments are sought.

Conclusion

In summary, despite the immense influence of social media and the internet on the human experience, it may be argued that unity and equality have been transformed. Although the number of digital platforms and people’s connectivity has never before been exceeded, they have not eradicated the core challenges associated with unity and harmony. As discussed throughout the paper, the human experience is a complex theme that incorporates various morals and societal norms; for this reason, it cannot be limited to the digital realm. Indeed, social media can exacerbate current divisions and views, but it is not the main cause, as it reflects the rest of the culture. Additionally, it should be remembered that in the pursuit of unity and equality, caution is necessary when promoting them, as infringing on individual freedom is not acceptable. Finally, attempts to regulate online discourse for the sake of unity (and the other causes outlined above) are problematic because they infringe on the fundamental “right to free expression,” while failing to address some of the broader systemic disparities just described. As is clear, these examples provide convincing counters to the idea that digitization has unconditionally “benefited society.” In the digital age, education is necessary to develop digital literacy to use digital media as active users rather than mere consumers.

Empowering people with the ability to critically engage with online social media content and responsibly navigate digital spaces can help mitigate the detrimental effects of social media while maximizing its potential for good. Overall, true unity and equality in the digital age can only be achieved with a multi-faceted approach that both reexamines what causes such societal divides and intersectional inequalities in society and protects individual freedoms while fostering meaningful engagement and dialogue. By standing in the way of these challenges and striving for a collective vision that promotes a just and inclusive society, we can harness the power of the digital revolution for the common good.

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