Have you ever paused to ponder on the volume of digital content you cast into the vast ocean of the internet in a mere day? Emails, WhatsApp messages, tweets, comments, photos, likes - the list goes on. Even more so, if you are a creator – whether you’re a blogger, YouTuber, podcaster, social media influencer, etc.
Are we polluting the internet just like we are polluting our oceans?
This is something I’ve been pondering ever since I started writing online. And it hints at something deeper:
Is my writing meaningful or just adding to the clutter? And what measures can I take to ensure the value and reduce waste?
The Double-Edged Sword of Writing Online
Writing online has its charms:
Writing online leads to clarity of thought - it's the embodiment of my thoughts, sticking around like friendly ghosts, offering the opportunity to revisit, revise, and deeply reflect over time.
Writing online forges connections - it's a bridge enabling my sentiments to resonate with others, striking a common, universal tune.
Writing online stimulates growth - acting as a catalyst for my curiosity, propelling me to venture deeper into unexplored territories.
However, online writing has its shadows:
Writing online can create chaos - the words might pile up, adding to the confusion rather than clarifying intent or meaning.
Writing online can generate noise - suffusing the internet with excess chatter, drowning out useful insights among heaps of needless junk.
Writing online can induce haste - enticing readers to skim hastily over the sea of text, risking the chance to miss out on thought-provoking, meaningful ideas.
Polluting Cyberspace
Just like a single particle of microplastics might seem insignificant in the vastness of the ocean, adding one trivial blog post or mindless comment to the web might seem like no big deal. But it's the accumulation of these seemingly inconsequential contributions that leads to a problem. In time, unnoticed and unchecked, these pollutants overwhelm our oceans and, similarly, our internet. The clutter takes away from the space. It makes it difficult to navigate through a sea of useless junk to find the nuggets of wisdom and valuable information.
Does anyone care about this, besides me?
A Personal Crusade
Beyond being a societal responsibility, cleaning up our digital footprint has more personal implications. Our external environment mirrors our internal state. Decluttering our digital presence also helps us tidy up inside - uncluttering our minds and emotions.
A more conscious approach in our digital world might lead to a more organized and clearer personal life. It's a personal endeavor as much as it is a communal one.
Writing Worth Reading
This notion of digital clutter shapes my writing process and pushes me to write more thoughtfully.
Faced with this concern (Do I add value with my writing or am I just adding to the pile of pointless stuff online?), I'm inspired to create content that counts.
The only problem is:
What is content that counts?
Something that provides value to others? How to know that upfront?
Something that has relevance right now? What happens when it’s outdated?
Something that is stylistically appealing and enjoyable to read? How to develop such a style without writing online?
Right now, I don’t have an answer to, “What is content that counts?”
So I rely on 3 strategies:
As part of my process, I discuss my writing ideas with others beforehand. This helps fine-tune my focus and purpose for a piece, making it more meaningful and interesting.
Embracing feedback on my drafts is another strategy to counter digital pollution. It guarantees that only the highest quality content finds its way to my readers.
And if a not-so-great piece does end up online, it's no cause for panic. I can always come back later and recycle it - freshen it up with new insights and ideas - turning it into something worth reading again.
Keyboard Activists
Is our writing meaningful or just adding to the clutter?
It ultimately comes down to how we approach it. And every one of us can make a difference - embracing mindfulness to shape the internet we want to see.
"Shape the internet we want to see". That's powerful.