Social media has brought the social sector, both organizations and the people we serve, closer together. For a sector that has historically struggled to adequately share best practices, any innovation that brings us closer together is a welcomed one.

But social media has also enabled some fairly anti-social behavior. I’ve been troubled to see an increasing subset of my Twitter and RSS reader streams dedicated to people bashing one another rather than promoting solutions.

There is a difference between questioning an idea and attacking a person. Anyone who has had the (dis)pleasure of meeting me knows I question the hell out of any type of social innovation. The more I believe in a solution, the more rigorous my inquiry. I scrutinize my work, my colleagues work,and my customers work so closely because I believe what we do matters.

If I don’t care about an intervention or innovation, I won’t write about it, won’t mention it. I’m interested in what works. Why waste precious time focusing on what doesn’t?

Social Sector Soap Opera

I love trashy TV. Salacious, ridiculous gossip is a great escape from focusing on solving real problems of struggling people. But when it comes to addressing poverty, I’m far more interested in positive outcomes than over the top personalities.

And herein lies the problem. TV is awesome because we are drawn to personalities and drama, while debating tactics and solutions is boring (if you ever have trouble sleeping, try reading my blog, Full Contact Philanthropy).

Social media has provided a megaphone not only for those focused on real solutions, but for those seeking to manufacture their own infamy at the expense of others. I’ve seen all types of people spit hateful vile into my social streams, from charity executives, nonprofit consultant talking heads, to those living in poverty themselves.

Hurting people venting their frustration is understandable. But when those that are better off are personally attacked by such individuals, the only reasonable thing to do is to listen and move on. There’s nothing worse than kicking someone who is clearly down. I’ve been most appalled at how people I know and respect have negatively engaged criticism from unwell people.

Pick on Something Bigger Than Yourself

We’re all in this work because we are fighters. We fight odds. We fight stereotypes. But why would we fight each other?

For pugnacious folks like myself, the only enemy we need is poverty. Our sights should always be on taking on a cause, an adversary bigger than ourselves. Picking on those who cannot defend themselves, or getting sucked into counter-productive ad hominem nonsense is not only counter productive, but to use a personal insult, it’s totally stupid.

Don’t be stupid. Don’t be a jerk. Be nice to those who play well, ignore those who don’t, and keep your eye on the prize, a world free of suffering.

Photo credit: Alexandre Morin