#muckedup No. 30 Recap: Social Media PTSD
This week’s #muckedup chat was something special. Something different…
Sure, we had a very involved discussion on the role of social media, content and its role on post traumatic stress and trauma. I think it’s safe to say that’s become par for the course here. But what’s new is that alongside the normal chat, we also held our first Google Plus hangout with some very esteemed guests: NPR’s Andy Carvin, Fruzsina Eördögh of ReadWrite and Slate, educational psychologist Michelle May, and Muck Rack staffers Natan Edelsburg and David Zolot.
It was a first for #muckedup and barring a little bit of virgin jitters, and a healthy amount of bias…we think it worked. We touched on everything from personal to professional experiences with trauma, how we deal with our emotions and the constant deluge of sometimes jarring content and experience that this job demands. Things got so real, both Carvin and Eordogh teared up when talking about their past, and some of the people they’ve lost. No faking the funk over here. Check out the video here to see what we got so hyped about:
Here’s some of the best tweets from the chat:
#MuckedUp Q1: Social media PTSD has become a really polarizing issue. Is it real/what are signs and symptoms? Can you consume too much news?
@muckrack A1 It is possible to consume too much news. Sensory adaptation from overexposure can lead to numbness and apathy. #MuckedUp
— Peter Leung (@peterleung) December 19, 2012
A1 You can consume too much news in any channel and you can disconnect from any channel - social media isn’t unique #muckedup
— M. Edward Borasky (@znmeb) December 19, 2012
A1: As we saw with 9/11, it is totally possible to overexpose oneself to a news story, even more so now with rise of social media #muckedup
— Beth Elderkin (@BethElderkin) December 19, 2012
@janesusskind @adampopescu All too often I see people using social media as a replacement for real life. Very dangerous. #muckedup
— Peter Leung (@peterleung) December 19, 2012
RT @janesusskind: @adampopescu Yes, but you also have the power to turn off the news. You are in control.#muckedup
— emmagoda (@emmagoda) December 19, 2012
A1 You don’t need #SocMed for overload…spend a few days in an edit bay with that kind of footage. That’ll do it, too. #muckedup
— Patrick Phillips (@patricksplace) December 19, 2012
Interesting: PTSD + social media MT @muckrack: We’re broadcasting #muckedup live via our google plus hangout -owl.li/gdbAE
— Rebecca Searles (@beccabigwords) December 19, 2012
@saramorrison @meshelmay is one of my favorite people online. Has experienced more of the world than almost anyone I know. @muckedup
— Andy Carvin (@acarvin) December 19, 2012
#MuckedUp Q2 Are we, and by extension social media, over-saturated by emotional content? Does this cheapen events? How do you deal with this
@muckrack A2 I am always puzzled at how some put tragedy in a relative context. Each incident has its own absolute horrors #MuckedUp
— Peter Leung (@peterleung) December 19, 2012
@gavinsblog @storyful interested that you have counsellor available. V forward thinking, really impressed by that.
— Fiona O’Connor (@fionaoc) December 19, 2012
@bethelderkin Thanks Beth! Andy’s commenting on your comment now! #muckedup
— Natan Edelsburg (@twatan) December 19, 2012
@muckrack A2 Have to learn to filter . Emotion has it’s place but should used judiciously. Journos must keep own emotion in check #muckedup
— Scott Schwebke (@TheChalkOutline) December 19, 2012
@patricksplace That’s no longer possible. Social Media has BECOME the News. #SocMed #muckedup
— Peter Leung (@peterleung) December 19, 2012
Not if it’s your job / @janesusskind @adampopescu Yes, but you also have the power to turn off the news. You are in control. #muckedup
— David Clinch (@DavidClinchNews) December 19, 2012
@kantrowitz @davidclinchnews @janesusskind @adampopescu But can you really? News is a 24-hour cycle, it’s hard to step away. #muckedup
— Meg Hoppe (@HoppeMeg) December 19, 2012
@katzonearth answering your q right now on trauma
— Adam Popescu (@adampopescu) December 19, 2012
@katzonearth I don’t think PTSD is the right word for what happens from watching horrible video. Causes serious stress though #muckedup
— David Clinch (@DavidClinchNews) December 19, 2012
#MuckedUp Q3: How does someone suffering from PTSD get help? Is it enough to disconnect/unlpug? Is therapy a good option?
@muckrack A3 Have an outlet. Talk to friends, family members. Sometimes people who need help just want someone to listen. #MuckedUp
— Peter Leung (@peterleung) December 19, 2012
You can step back, but you’re always tethered MT @adampopescu How do you step away when it’s your job to be plugged in 24-7? #muckedup
— Beth Elderkin (@BethElderkin) December 19, 2012
Check out @fruzse’s @slate article about social media PTSD slate.me/UN4SV9 #muckedup
— Muck Rack (@muckrack) December 19, 2012
@davemeddows I’ve been to Egypt, Lebanon, Libya & the Syrian border over the last year. I just don’t know while they’re shooting. #muckedup
— Andy Carvin (@acarvin) December 19, 2012
@muckrack Part of the value of SM is you can filter for what you want and ignore the noise. You’re empowered thus not overwhelmed #muckedup
— Ernest MacGillivray (@ernestma) December 19, 2012
#MuckedUp Q4: How has social effected you emotionally and what steps have you taken to treat it?
@muckrack Social primarily affects me with frustration…especially from consumers who think THEY know it all. #muckedup
— Patrick Phillips (@patricksplace) December 19, 2012
@adampopescu a Danish journalist friend of mine is working to spread “positive psychology” in media. Check this out: facebook.com/ScienceofGoodN…
— Elise Labott (@eliselabottcnn) December 19, 2012
@muckedupIt can make you turn out others sometime.Just ask my wife. It can also be addicting #muckedup
— Scott Schwebke (@TheChalkOutline) December 19, 2012
A4 It’s very difficult to ignore the rudeness from critics at every turn. Still working on that at times. #muckedup
— Patrick Phillips (@patricksplace) December 19, 2012
A4: I’ve been trolled a few times after reporting on an issue, incl on appearance and gender; harassment on SM can be hurtful #muckedup
— Beth Elderkin (@BethElderkin) December 19, 2012
Transitioning into holiday music mode; tonight’s #muckedup is too sobering. Instead taking all of my lovely compatriots’ advice & unplugging
— Meg Hoppe (@HoppeMeg) December 19, 2012
“My Followers Keep me Sane.” #muckedup @acarvin
— Peter Leung (@peterleung) December 19, 2012
Andy, pleasure working with you tonight RT @acarvin More info on journalism and trauma from the Dart Center: dartcenter.org#muckedup
— Adam Popescu (@adampopescu) December 19, 2012
@davidclinchnews I will read this. I was on the jury that heard first use of PTSD as a defense in this country. A long time ago.
— Barbara Audet(@varvaraephemera) December 19, 2012
@allancavanagh @gavinsblog Doesn’t even need images sometimes. Ive read stuff that stayed in my head too long
— Gerard Cunningham (@faduda) December 19, 2012
@adampopescu Nicely done. Very insightful, esply to hear from @acarvin about how he copes. #muckedup
— Martha Kang (@Martha_Kang) December 19, 2012
Parting Thought for Tonight’s #muckedup Chat:twitpic.com/bn7g8r @adampopescu @muckrack
— Peter Leung (@peterleung) December 19, 2012
@twatan @meshelmay @adampopescu @acarvin @davidzolot thanksfor the invite! Sorry had to duck out early!
— Fruzsina Eördögh (@FruzsE) December 19, 2012
Since next Tuesday is Christmas Day and the following Tuesday is New Years Day, we’re going to take a two week hiatus on #muckedup. But fret not, we ended 2012 with a bang, and have some very big plans for #muckedup in 2013. Hint: it has to do with more Google Hangouts, and some big name newsrooms…
So stay tuned, and see you January 8, 2013 at 8 pm EST / 5 pm PST!
—AP
