Blake Dowling: Social media — the final frontier; boldly scrolling where no one has gone before

While many discussions surrounding social media focus on its negatives, I’d like to highlight some positives.

Over five billion people globally use social media, representing over half the world’s population and over 90% of all internet users. It’s as popular as water, so we might as well make the most of it.

Before we dive in, here are a few tips for a better online experience:

First, avoid the dramatic announcement of taking a break from social media — do it quietly.

Second, consider refraining from political posts, as studies indicate that negative political commentary rarely sways opinions. Lastly, let’s keep the name-calling to a minimum; basic courtesy from kindergarten still applies online.

Now, on to the positives. I’ve found inspiration from some recent posts — not from athletes grumbling about NIL deals or celebrities, but from everyday people breaking barriers and sharing positivity through humor and music. Plus, I’ve included a silly meme to bring a smile to your day.

Last year, I stumbled upon a post about hot sauce that piqued my interest, especially since I’ve always been a fan. My father and aunt ran a hot sauce business in the 1980s in St. Martinville, Louisiana. I loved visiting St. Martinville, particularly for the Crawfish Étouffée at Possums, the town’s (likely only) restaurant. Their product, Bulliards Hot Sauce, is still around today, and they have different owners.

My love for Étouffée and hot sauce was born in that charming town.

Fast forward to today, I came across Crippling Hot Sauce online, which drew me in. I learned about the founder, who developed the product as a high school project, inspired by a teacher who said he couldn’t do it. In true hero fashion, he set out to prove them wrong. I reached out to Drew Davis, the founder, to get his perspective:

“Crippling Hot Sauce started as a school project that got a B-minus for being ‘unrealistic.’ Now we’re shipping thousands of bottles a week, donating to cerebral palsy research, and proving that no matter your circumstance — disability, age, whatever — you can still light the world on fire (with flavor and purpose).”

Drew, along with over 700,000 others diagnosed with cerebral palsy, is making a difference. Five percent of the proceeds from every bottle sold supports cerebral palsy research. Discovering this post on Instagram was pure inspiration, and I wouldn’t have known about Drew and his company without social media.

Shifting from Instagram to Twitter (or “Twix,” as I like to call it), I first learned of Craig Pittman through that platform. He’s the original Florida Man writer and a bestselling author; I have a copy of his new book on my desk, ready to read.

I also discovered Theo Von on social media about six years ago and finally saw his live performance this weekend in Tallahassee. His unique style is either ahead of or behind the times, but it works. His stand-up is hilarious, and if you catch his opening act, Amir K, be prepared for a show-stealing performance.

Amir, who was born in Iran and moved to America at age five, is one of the funniest comedians on the planet.

Another gem I found on Facebook is the “I’ll BE BACH” meme.

Let me back up for a moment.

Today’s public service announcement aims to entertain and remind you that the internet is full of treasures if you’re willing to filter out the rants. Our final source of inspiration today is a band from Athens, Georgia, guaranteed to make you smile. While browsing a Sister Hazel post about a group that opened for them at the Georgia Theatre, I discovered Love.Craft band. They are part of the Love.Craft organization, which provides purposeful activities for adults with disabilities in the Athens community. One of those activities blossomed into the Love.Craft Band.

They have original songs, a documentary is being made about them, and they perform at various gigs. In December, you can catch them on tour with Sister Hazel at the House of Blues. Be sure to check out their music and tour dates.

Social media encompasses many things. For better or worse, we have come a long way since the early days of Bolt.com in 1996, Six Degrees in 1997, and Myspace in 2003. Regardless of the platform, its most remarkable feature is the ability to bring inspiration into our lives. Social media was designed to connect us as a community; at the very least, it can provide a good laugh. So, let’s keep exploring this digital frontier together, seeking out new memes and creations, and boldly going where no one has scrolled before.