LinkedIn: Still a Case Study on the Internet

LinkedIn is LinkedIn, but the internet will always be the internet.

Let me explain (😅):

A few days ago, I saw a “feel good” post about a mom that received an honorary law degree for helping her blind daughter graduate by going to every class and reading her every textbook for 4 years.

99% of the comments were applauding the mom, applauding the school, applauding for applause’s sake.

I don’t comment on “viral” or “viral-style” posts… But, this is LinkedIn! Also, I’m trying to be more forthcoming with my thoughts and perspectives, so I commented on the post.

I lightened the phrasing to protect myself from the very obvious potential backlash that I was opening myself up to – I mean, HOW COULD I SAY ANYTHING BUT GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS AMAZING ACT OF HUMANITY – but my general point was this:

Is this something that we should really be celebrating? Honestly.

It should not be necessary for a mother (or father) to go to these lengths for their disabled child to get an education. Where was the institutional support?

Praising the mother for doing it, great. Praising that she got recognition for it, great. But let’s not stop the conversation there.

This should not be the standard for a mother’s love.

But, I digress.

At some point, I saw one of the other comments, something like, “Mothers are the greatest creatures in the world. Do you agree?” And someone responded, “No.”

So now, I’m starting to think about how this post is like a study of the internet and the majority of trash content that goes viral every day.

But, of course, we were missing the cherry on top!

Yesterday, I was telling my colleague (The same one as before. We sit next to each, can you tell?) about my comment and wanted to show her how many likes I had gotten on it.

I opened LinkedIn and saw a new notification about a reply to my comment.

“stupid israeli girl.. f ing ugly!!”

Yep. And that’s the moment that I remembered that LinkedIn is LinkedIn, but the internet will always be the internet 😅

Aside from just being a bit shook up over it at first, I am ok.

I have to say, after seeing it and taking a screenshot, I immediately closed the tab. By the time I realized that I should report the comment a few minutes later – it was already gone.

I’m not sure if someone else reported it or if LinkedIn has some kind of monitoring system for hate speech, but MAD RESPECT.

The end 🙂

Have a great day, be kind, and stay safe out there in the inter-webs.