Social Media: News, Relevance and Buzz in the Haitian Community.

“Chalmas! Ala kote gen koze papa!” dixit the legendary Maurice Sixto in one of his famous pieces. In Gro Moso, he describes among other things the story of a man who brags about his prowess, confronted by another man who wanted to keep his relevance, and a public audience that craves gossip in order to drown the sorrow of their sad and miserable reality. That scene is replicated everyday in the social media universe and particularly the community of Haitian music lovers, consumers and entrepreneurs called the HMI.

First, let me recognize the well intended individuals who try to stay relevant and promote themselves by creating valuable content that provide education, information and sometimes really good entertainment. The social media networks on the internet can be such useful tools to connect people beyond borders, to export cultures, to provide business opportunities and a variety of content that cable television can only dream of offering. The people who goes against the grain and persist in producing quality content deserve credit and admiration.

However, more and more journalists, commentators, entertainers and barely disguised buzz makers swap places, share roles and confuse the public who does not know what to believe or who to trust. Others exploit the naivety of some and the need for distraction that we all have by fabricating the buzz and monetizing the “zen”. Tous les moyens sont bons, toutes les rumeurs sont utiles. The more sordid the news, the juicer the zen, the better. Views, comments and likes are the only parameters that count. Content and substance are mere afterthoughts.

The online bullying, degradation and devaluation of our moral standards and cultural values is not rhetorical or victimless. We are all victims and we are all to blame. Our children will pay the price if they make it to adulthood with enough credit to pay any real or moral bills. Our society now not only accepts but encourages conspiracy theories and rumors instead of facts and objective information. People use elements of shock, sensationalism, to attract and maintain the attention that translates into views and followers which in turn confer to those people the title of influencers. Instead of professional expertise or proven experience giving clout and influence, it is empty vessels making all the noise.

All things considered, the power of influence could be an effective tool if used well, but because of the lack of accountability that comes with this new form of power, it is instead utilized to destroy one’s competitors, to fool a poorly educated population, to corrupt the mind of a vulnerable youth and to shamelessly monetize the attention they convince us to give for free. Therefore, the behavior is further reinforced by financial gains and social fame (or infamy). Tous les moyens sont bons and all publicity is good publicity. The goal is to be the one “kap fe koze isit”. Many entrepreneurs, musicians, media personalities are getting more attention online not because of their work or their talents, not because of innovative ideas, but because of unrelated and unscrupulous “zen”. The “buzz entrepreneurs” are happy to exploit or even fabricate these situations, whether they are personal matters involving children, intimate bedroom escapades, who is pregnant, who had a side piece, etc., all for the attention and to rack up views on YouTube.

Here is a riddle for you: what is the difference between corrupt Haitian politicians, gang leaders and these online zen-makers? Did you guess nothing? You are right! They all take advantage of a bad situation with no regard for the lives that are destroyed or get bankrupt.

Now, I want to make it clear, I do not have any beef with people who are using the internet to advertise their business, expose their art, and promote themselves and things that are important to them. The reality is that if you are not present online these days, some people may not even know you exist. And that can be a major problem if you have something to sell. Moreover, we all need entertainment and distraction from an often stressful world.

In fact, I push for people with positive and useful contents to post more and to draw more attention to themselves. I encourage that because I believe it is the solution to the problem we are seeing online. The vaccine of decency and quality is the only antidote against this epidemic of crass and incompetence. Only light can chase darkness, only positivity can overtake negativity, only truth drown out lies, only facts can invalidate rumors. Ignore the buzz if you can, and instead share good information. Views and likes are valuable currencies. Spend and invest them wisely for the sake of our community and our children.