Occupied

Ten years ago, a few folks with a bee in their bonnet about the way public lands are managed occupied a portion of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in southeast Oregon. This area encompasses a vast acreage of seasonal wetlands where numerous species of birds stop on their annual migrations. The refuge and surrounding public lands have been co-managed by a group of ranchers, BLM, and National Forest overseers for a number of years, with all the challenges that entails.

When the occupiers, most of whom resided out of state, decided to set up camp, it created real problems for the local people—both indigenous and other long-time residents. While all the agencies, native peoples, and ranchers had their share of difficulties finding harmony, they were working on it together. And the outside forces just made everything more difficult. Fortunately, the occupiers were arrested or left of their own accord, and things took their time getting back to so-called normal.

It may sound odd to compare that situation to our pre-occupation with social media. But we have become occupied by outside forces, those algorithms that feed on our egos, insecurities, and grudges. If we use the media platforms, we are complicit in supporting a group of rich, socially awkward stewards of our morality. They feed on our need to be right and assign blame to others. It is time for them to leave.

I know, I sound like an old fogey. I do recognize the sincere connections made through social media, but they do not seem to compensate for the ever-increasing divisive rhetoric and image insecurities. They have a profound effect on mental health, especially on the younger generation. Case in point, the recent Oregon state decision to eliminate the use of cell phones by students while at school. Early indications reveal kids are actually talking with each other again, regaining some social skills lost to digital distraction.

I am of a generation that did not grow up under the influence of the internet, so I relied on a more personal way to engage socially. It is called face-to-face communication. I am an introvert but still prefer in-person contact over social media or texting (platforms I do not typically engage with). If I am to be occupied doing something, I prefer to have real-time relationships with all the unpredictability that entails.

I wonder what Buddha would think about all of this. I imagine he would smile and say, “Ego-driven, monetized technology has the same effect as an ego-driven mind. How is that working for you?”