Studies show that viral articles elicit in the reader at least 1 of the following:
- Awe
- Anxiety
- Anger
This isn't good.
Anxiety is very similar to worry/da'agah, which earned itself a whole chapter in Orchot Tzaddikim showing why it's such a bad middah (although it can be useful at times).
Anger is for sure not good. Shlomo Hamelech says it rests in the bosom of fools and giving into anger or feeling consumed by it is avodah zarah.
Positive Anger & Anxiety
However, if anger and anxiety can be the motivation to get up and fix a problem, then that's very good.
Many people lost weight and bolstered good middot like patience and contentment after a heart attack. These positive lifestyle changes were sparked by anxiety -- the concern of dying early.
Sara Schenirer's anxiety over the future of Jewish girls in Europe led her to establish the Beis Yaakov school system.
Anger has been the springboard for many people to get involved in solving problems after seeing something that infuriated them and made them think, "The world CAN'T run like this! Somebody has to do something -- I have to do something!"
So the question is whether the anger and anxiety make you feel proactive -- and if it makes you feel proactive to do good things.
For example, violence would be a negative expression of proactive behavior.
But preparing food & parceling it out to hungry people would be a positive expression of proactive behavior.
Many people lost weight and bolstered good middot like patience and contentment after a heart attack. These positive lifestyle changes were sparked by anxiety -- the concern of dying early.
Sara Schenirer's anxiety over the future of Jewish girls in Europe led her to establish the Beis Yaakov school system.
Anger has been the springboard for many people to get involved in solving problems after seeing something that infuriated them and made them think, "The world CAN'T run like this! Somebody has to do something -- I have to do something!"
So the question is whether the anger and anxiety make you feel proactive -- and if it makes you feel proactive to do good things.
For example, violence would be a negative expression of proactive behavior.
But preparing food & parceling it out to hungry people would be a positive expression of proactive behavior.
Awesome or Awful?
Awe can be very beneficial -- but it depends. Being awed about WHAT, exactly?
I'm so awed! (...at the dangerous & foolish things people will do to get an "awesome" photo)
Are you awed by:
Many people felt awed by the guy who cut off his own arm when it got caught between a rock and a hard place during a hiking trip that went wrong.
They were even more awed by his return to hiking after that debilitating mishap.
O, the great mesirut nefesh to hike up mountains!
(I'm glad he lived through it, of course, and that he doesn't seem to suffer any PTSD from it. But there is more to life.)
Frankly, I'm awed by Rav Simcha Elchanan Wasserman's insistence on going back to Europe in the throes of the Shoah -- just to give chizuk and comfort to those stuck in the genocide -- KNOWING exactly what awaited him.
And there are thousands of other examples of truly awe-inspiring acts.
- The latest royal wedding gown?
- How [fill-in-the-blank with whatever celebrity] manages to look soooo young at age 52?
- A cat that imitates human behavior?
- An 11-year-old who can sing opera really well?
- That a quirky middle-aged pudgy lady wearing white shoes with black stockings could sing "I Dreamed a Dream" so well with no professional background?
- A basketball shot from across the court that scores through the hoop just as the final buzzer sounds?
- A poorly raised 3-year-old who calls his mother "Linda" and asserts his right to cupcake-disobedience?
Many people felt awed by the guy who cut off his own arm when it got caught between a rock and a hard place during a hiking trip that went wrong.
They were even more awed by his return to hiking after that debilitating mishap.
O, the great mesirut nefesh to hike up mountains!
(I'm glad he lived through it, of course, and that he doesn't seem to suffer any PTSD from it. But there is more to life.)
Frankly, I'm awed by Rav Simcha Elchanan Wasserman's insistence on going back to Europe in the throes of the Shoah -- just to give chizuk and comfort to those stuck in the genocide -- KNOWING exactly what awaited him.
And there are thousands of other examples of truly awe-inspiring acts.
Veering Away from the "Virus"
The thing is that while media has always impacted our emotions and opinions, and while it has always sought to cultivate the most eye-catching headlines and titles while feeding us sensationalized content portrayed as "fact," the Internet has brought this all to a whole new level.
With lists based on solid research, you can choose and adjust your own headline to meet viral standards.
It works.
I mean, how do you think I know about Linda's cheeky 3-year-old or the surprisingly talented singer from a Scottish village?
Yeah, I got sucked into taking a peek at the viral stuff too.
So...the way to resist is to avoid the negative stuff and fill yourself up with truly good things.
"Sur m'ra v'aseh tov -- turn from bad and do good."
Even seemingly kosher or frum outlets usually end up containing forbidden images, lashon hara, meaningless trivia for the sake of clickbait, and more.
It's surprising that after a couple of days avoiding most news sites (although I still think Hamodia is one of the most kosher; it's also the least "viral") and finding more productive ways to spend time....how boring and meaningless it all seems all of the sudden.
"Why did I find that so compelling before?" you find yourself musing.
With lists based on solid research, you can choose and adjust your own headline to meet viral standards.
It works.
I mean, how do you think I know about Linda's cheeky 3-year-old or the surprisingly talented singer from a Scottish village?
Yeah, I got sucked into taking a peek at the viral stuff too.
So...the way to resist is to avoid the negative stuff and fill yourself up with truly good things.
"Sur m'ra v'aseh tov -- turn from bad and do good."
Even seemingly kosher or frum outlets usually end up containing forbidden images, lashon hara, meaningless trivia for the sake of clickbait, and more.
It's surprising that after a couple of days avoiding most news sites (although I still think Hamodia is one of the most kosher; it's also the least "viral") and finding more productive ways to spend time....how boring and meaningless it all seems all of the sudden.
"Why did I find that so compelling before?" you find yourself musing.
The Best Viral Habit
Needless to say, talking to God like He's you One True Close Friend, a Friend who's always interested in everything you have to say, a Friend Who can actually help you with ANYTHING, and is never shocked or horrified by anything you tell Him (He already knew all about you), but on the contrary: loves and forgives you no matter what (as long as you 'fess up)...this can help a lot with the viral vacuum.
A real personable connection with Hashem can minimize useless anxiety & anger while increasing truly awesome awe.
And that's a really good thing.
A real personable connection with Hashem can minimize useless anxiety & anger while increasing truly awesome awe.
And that's a really good thing.
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