Is it Wrong to Seek Attention Through Social Media?

“Social media is a phenomenal tool in our life. Never before was it possible for human beings to communicate like this. But what are we communicating? I think a little more thought is needed.”

—Sadhguru

Q: Sadhguru, we are a generation of attention seekers. I think most of us would agree with this. We express our happiness, our sadness, the details of what we did today, the food we ate, and the people whom we met by posting them on WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, etc. Particularly for our problems, rather than seeking a solution or speaking to a friend, we tend to post it and tell the whole world out loud that we are sad. Is this expression and attention seeking on social media wrong? 

Sadhguru: It is not about right and wrong. It is just that at this stage in your life today, whether you say something good or bad it does not matter. We do not even want to judge whether it is good or bad, but it is something private. You must understand that, particularly with digital media, the damn thing stays for your lifetime. If you wipe it off your Facebook, somebody else will be storing it somewhere, and this may come and confront you somewhere when it is not necessary in your life. Yes. What you are today may be embarrassing for you after ten years’ time. 

Social media is a phenomenal tool in our life. Never before was it possible for human beings to communicate like this. But what are we communicating? I think a little more thought is needed. You take a selfie with your ice cream and do this and that. I am not saying it is right or wrong – just a bit flaky. Tomorrow, you may be embarrassed of your own flakiness. If you are not, it is okay. I am not saying you should do it or should not do it. But a little more judiciousness would stand by you through the length of your life, because what you do today should not come and confront you much later.  

Editor's Note: Whether you're struggling with a controversial query, feeling puzzled about a taboo topic, or just burning with a question that no one else is willing to answer, now is your chance to ask! Ask Sadhguru your questions at UnplugWithSadhguru.org.