A necessary sociable shift

I’ve always used social media for what I believe it was created for… a tool to be social / sociable and to share and learn from the words, images and anecdotes of others. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees and, whilst I have always tried to use my own words to inspire, engage and connect people, there are those with a contrary view. They choose to target people with an intention to use what has been said to stimulate what they would call debate and free speech – but in reality to at best create division and at worst a platform for hate.

They are, of course well within their rights to do so, but equally, the rules of social media state that content should only be used with the permission of the owner. If a post / personal profile is restricted as private, they are fundamentally breaching the rights of a person or persons if they have not sought permission.

Personally, whilst I’ve developed a thick skin and a ‘sticks and stones’ attitude to people with opposing views to my own, when comments become personal, offensive and wholly inaccurate it should be the responsibility of the person or persons who have shared my words to manage their content. As a consequence, from now on, my ‘posts’ will appear on this page – and all of the content within remains entirely owned by me. Any sharing – without my written permission – of content on this site will be seen as a breach of copyright and intellectual property. This won’t deter some – who are quite happy to share images and invite harassment of people without any such permission, but it is the only way I can continue to write how and when I want without the fear that I will be condemned, threatened or libelled as the result of a fundamental disregard for my feelings or of my loved ones or supporters / participants in my projects.

Even as I am writing this, my excitement to be able to share the good – the stories – the journeys of people in our community is overshadowed by a nervousness that it will be once again used against me and an opportunity to be held up as someone to be shot down – and have no doubt that despite their protestations that is how I have been used by some outlets – but I have to be true to my self. I am living testament as someone who has overcome challenges, barriers and hardships that have inspired me to be the man I am today. I will work harder than ever to ensure that people can work together to find solutions to problems; to celebrate the good in a place and to smile back at those who would rather focus on negativity. They can do it their way. I’ll do it mine.

All content on this site remain the intellectual property of Mike McGrother or those he has credited.