Minnesota TV News Anchor Takes On ‘Vile’ Social Media Environment

I was literally talking about this very subject with someone last night. The way we all use social media is vastly different than how we used to use it in the past.

What was once a place to tag pics of friends and family at gatherings, giggle at silly animal videos, and even share photos of your lunch (yeah, remember that being a thing?) has transformed into a polarized environment where there's very little people can manage to agree on.

Even some of the silliest things bring out the pent-up anger and frustration of people feeling like they have to argue what color the sky is or why it is that color.

Most often, it is politically-charged commentary. Recent news events keep pushing people further into their respective political corners and stoking the argumentative flames that rage on across the various social media platforms out there.

READ MORE: New Survey Says Minnesotans Are The Least Happy We've Been In Years - Here's Why

We're all feeling it in some way or another. I think we all feel like there is a change needed, but how does it start? Can it change? Like many of us, a TV news anchor in Northern Minnesota is hoping so. And he took to one of the very platforms that is home to this situation with a hope to encourage change.

Duluth evening TV anchor Dan Wolfe published a Facebook post Thursday morning that takes the subject head-on, specifically calling on the Northland to embrace the beauty of our region, the friendliness we experience in real in-person interactions among neighbors, and not to fall into the chasm of "doom scrolling" in what he calls a "vile vent room".

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Here's Dan's message, along with a photo he shared to bring a little beauty to people's feeds.

He's absolutely right about considering what matters most. Spending time outdoors, embracing time and positive interactions with friends and loved ones, and enjoying what makes the Northland a great place to live is so key.

Northern Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin are some of the most beautiful places in the country, and our reputation around the country is for being friendly and welcoming. It doesn't feel that way when you head online, though.

I can't even imagine what sort of comments this article will get on social media.

Here's to some positive change, remembering that no matter what your political beliefs are or how your opinions might vary from others, we are all human beings. We can have different opinions and constructive dialogue, but there is a line all too often crossed. It can be easy to lose sight of that when you're behind a keyboard or interacting through a phone.

Social media can be a good place if we make it that way! Just like in the real world around us, it is what we make of it. Let's make the best of it.

Here are some beautiful listener-submitted photos from earlier this year to enjoy from a Northern Lights show we got here in the Northland.