Over the past year or so, I have grown to loathe social media.
Maybe it’s been longer than that.
It’s just so frustrating to me that with any topic that is talked about, any topic at all, everyone is an expert all of a sudden.
Everyone is a health expert. Everyone is a political expert. Everyone is an expert on world affairs. Everyone is an expert on everyone else’s kids. Everyone is an expert on what is right and wrong. Everyone that has been through a terrible situation is now an expert on social injustice.
And let’s not forget that everyone is an expert on COVID-19 and face masks.
Go ahead and Google any of these topics or hop on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and see the rash of commentary put out there by Average Joe’s like you and me.
To be honest, so much of what is out there is downright comical. Not the facts, but the comments when folks argue with a doctor or credentialed person on a certain topic.
The ignorance is astounding.
I actually feel sorry for miserable people like that with nothing better to do than trash the world rather than trying to put in that safe effort in making it better.
I’m guess I’m from the old school where if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything. Where did we go astray in following that simple rule?
And don’t think it’s not local because we get our fair share of sour emails, phone calls and Facebook messages.
Here’s what gets me. We seem to get emails from the same individuals time and time again, simply dumping on Clarkston and Independence Township. Just raising a ruckus. Complaining and whining. Nothing positive whatsoever.
If Clarkston is so bad, why are you still living here?
So here’s my thing: Complain all you want. Have at it. At the end of your tantrum, offer a solution to the issue you are chasing. Then we’ll start to get somewhere.
People that simply blow off steam by complaining about items that really don’t affect their daily lives – unless they allow it – like I said, you have my sympathy.

— Matt Mackinder