“Making movies” says Julia Roberts.
“Makeup” says Cindy Crawford.
Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler says “rock and roll”… former North Dakota Sen. Byron Morgan, not permitting drinking and driving… Dave Ramsey, “personal finance”… personal trainer Bob Harper, “weight loss”… Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff co-author Kristine Carlson, “having a great marriage”… and marketing professional Donny Deutsch, “being a businessman.”
All of the above are things the opinion staters believe not to be rocket science.
I’ve kind of always loved that idiom. The idea that “it’s not rocket science” means that something is not all that hard to understand. Some things take work and consistent effort, but for the most part, they’re fairly straightforward.
For example, for me, it’s not rocket science that we’re called to be kind to people.
It’s not rocket science that wisdom warrants we respect the holders of opposing opinion.
And it’s not rocket science that not everyone’s a sports fan.
One more in my voluminous rocketry category is that it’s not rocket science that social media is not all good. In fact, many times it’s not good at all.
Refrain, please, from the suggestion that this semi-humble blogger is some sort of Negative Nelly, being overly critical and only seeing the downside… Facebook keeps me in touch with all my forty plus year old friends. Instagram shows me your latest vacation sunset. And TikTok provides me with the oh-so-necessary, latest catchy dances.
But (and that’s a big but)…
As most of us know, multiple studies have concluded that social media usage has been linked to increased anxiety, depression, loneliness, envy and poor self-esteem. Comparison is rampant — and way too often a determiner of self-worth.
It can be a platform for harassment and/or bullying.
It can rapidly spread false and/or misleading information.
And in one relevant pet peeve, it can convince grown adults that one or two sentences qualifies as respectful dialogue or relationship.
Obviously aware of this lack of rocket science, effective this coming week, Australia has mandated that 16 be the minimum age for all accounts on YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch, Threads and Kick. Serious about this chance, tech companies that own these platforms could face fines of up to $50 million if they don’t take reasonable steps to stop under-16s from having accounts. Australia has realized social media is not all good.
No doubt there will be a mixed reaction to the ban on younger teens and adolescents. No doubt, too, that with the prominence of fake IDs, etc., many will find a way to bypass the legal restriction. It is expected and acknowledged that the implementation of the ban will be imperfect.
So what will happen next?
Will the critics along with the imperfections make the ban futile?
Or will the rest of the watching world follow suit?
Lastly, what will the lack of rocket science impel?
Respectfully…
AR