To the Editor:

Politics truly does bring out the worst in people.

Everyone has the right to their own opinions, and to express those opinions, whether it be on NCN, Social Media, or elsewhere. That goes without saying. But I would submit that exercising that right, does not always necessarily equate to it actually being the right thing to do.

There was a time when I was more than happy to regularly exercise that right as well through submissions to NCN and others. It took a personal health crisis during the height of the pandemic last year, during which the attending physicians at the time informed me that my situation could have gone “either way,” to bluntly remind me of what is actually important. Family. Friends. Neighbors. Community.

I’m reasonably certain that the doctors who helped saved my life did not check my voter registration card.

And I’m absolutely positive that my next-door neighbor, who helped by keeping watch over my house and my family during my hospitalization, does not share anything resembling what my personal political leanings might be.

As part of my recovery, I have learned (and I believe that one is never too old to learn something new) the innate physical and psychological benefit of simply just unplugging. I do not have a Facebook page. I only fairly recently just got my first smartphone, and only actually use that for emergencies, and not for any sort of social connectivity or communication.

I saw the communications revolution coming in the late 90s while I was preparing my dissertation for my Masters in Media Management, but with all of the indisputable benefits it has brought to society, I never anticipated just how much of a divisive impact it would develop into socially, and the now well-documented damages on a psychological level.

So, I would humbly suggest, yes, be informed. Be passionate. Stay true to your convictions. But before you hit that “send” or “post” button, try this, ask yourself, “If I were to send this on company letterhead to my boss or supervisor, would I have a reasonable expectation of still being employed next week?”

I have also found that something just keeping as busy as you can with offline activities is very beneficial.

And if you do feel you that cannot resist the urge to plug in, just try something politically neutral such as HGTV, or the Food Network. Even the True Crime channels can seem less confrontational and violently suggestive in comparison to some of the rhetoric back and forth I’ve seen posted on here.

Leland Farnsworth
Massena